Vintage marriage advice that seems very out of place today!

When we first got married in the 60s or 70s, our mother was always the first to give us advice on how we should act: “a good wife always knows her place”, but isn’t it strange to look back on what we were told and compare it to the attitude nowadays? Women are much more independent and brave in the face of an abusive or unkind husband. We don’t feel like we need to answer to their every demand and we expect reciprocation.

Our mothers meant well but when you look back at their advice, it was quite absurd when you think about it by today’s standards. And why wouldn’t they have told us those things? They were a 50s housewife and had ideals passed down to them.

Here are some excerpts from a 1953 column in the Ladies’ Home Journal, titled “Can This Marriage Be Saved?” The counsellor who answered questions would always blame the wife: they were childish, immature and frigid if they weren’t obliging their husband. We have definitely come a long way from the sexism of the 50s, but here are some of these terrible pieces of advice in the column:

– A woman’s personality is to blame for marital problems: yes, it was all her fault. If your husband was cheating or not interested, it was you who needed to change. You were given no sympathy by your husband or family – you simply needed to stop being so frigid and give into his needs. Never mind his drinking problems or blatant disregard for your feelings!

– The longer you’ve been married, the more you should let domestic violence slide: nowadays, that is just an abhorrent statement, but that was what happened in the 50s and even today in some instances. If you were at your wit’s end and desperate to leave your husband, you were considered stupid – he provided for you and gave you gifts and you turn around and want to leave him? The counsellor’s advice was that a long marriage meant that they were solid and it would be silly to break that bond, despite the abuse.

– Your own career and life is less important than your husband’s: forget about your dreams, your man was your sole purpose for living in the 50s. If you wanted to have a job that exceeded your husband’s income or perceived level of importance, you were being selfish. Wives needed to stay home and keep the house tidy and be a good mother.

Another book we found is called “The Wives’ Book: For the Wife Who’s Best at Everything” by Alison Maloney and it has some vintage pearls of wisdom:

Ten Commandments for Wives

1. Don’t bother your husband with petty troubles and complaints when he comes home from work

2. Be a good listener. Let him tell you his troubles; yours will seem trivial in comparison

3. Remember your most important job is to build up and maintain his ego (which gets bruised plenty in business). Morale is woman’s business.

4. Let him relax before dinner and discuss family problems after the ‘inner man’ has been satisfied

5. Always remember he’s a male and marital relations promote harmony. Have sane views about sex

6. No man likes a wife who is always tired out. Conserve your energy so you can give him the companionship he craves

7. Never hold up your husband to ridicule in the presence of others. If you must criticise, do so privately and without anger

8. Remember a man is only a grown-up boy. He needs mothering and enjoys it if it isn’t piled on too thick

9. Don’t live beyond your means or add to your husband’s financial burdens

10. Don’t try to boss him around. Let him think he wears the pants

Wow! Talk about putting your ‘petty troubles’ down the list of priorities! It’s still shocking to read this, don’t you think?

What advice would you give today for a happy marriage? Tell us below!