Today, I read a few sentences from the 1950 Homemaker's Guide aimed toward young brides. Here's an example of some advice offered:
"If you've married a fisherman, better make fish cookery the first on your list of culinary accomplishments. He'll be unhappy if 'his little woman' doesn't do justice to his catch."
Boy, how times have changed...or have they? Some Sisters thought that in those days, women were more like servants, rather than equal partners. Others agreed that popular magazines like the Homemaker's Guide perpetuated the image of what's perfect and what's expected. Kind of like today's magazines do. The pictures and advice may be different, but the message is the same: Look like this! Act like this! We are still dealing with unrealistic expectations and stereotypes of how we should live our lives. What messages do you struggle with?
Some Sisters noted that while there was/is pressure both then and now, it's easier for us to say, 'no--I'm going to be myself!' In 1950, any woman who fought against the expected norm would have been seen as a major outcast.
A Teacher Sister said that when women entered the work force, things started changing...because they had to. The lady of the house couldn't do everything she used to AND work, so men had to start pitching in. We acknowledged how this must have been mind blowing for men the first time a hot dinner wasn't waiting for them, but they've evolved, too. A BLuncher even shared that it's her dream to be a working mom married to a stay-at-home dad! She sees her own dad assume cooking duties at home, so it's natural to her. Most if not all of the BLunchers plan on having careers when they grow up. Compared to women of the fifties--big difference. Many Sisters have even seen their own moms transform in their lifetimes from staying at home to getting a job. And as one Sister said, today's bad economy may even encourage more women to work outside of the home. We all agreed that being a stay-at-home mom is a good thing...if it's your choice. To have to live by the rules from the 50s would be difficult. Sister, you're nobody's 'little woman!'
2 comments:
although we are free women, there are still extreme pressures of being a housemom. Like Martha Stewert and Good Housekeeping mag. Its still there, alright!
Yeah, okay, for the most part You guys are right, but lets think about this! Aren't we being a little extreme? I HATE to be constantly playing party pooper on the blog here, i really do, but...come on! Yes, we are nobody's little woman, but don't we have duty? We do: to our children, if nothing else. (Guys have a duty too; not saying we're the only ones!) I mean, something like just having kids on the side...having a kid is a full time commitment and responsibility that requires more LOVE and a genuine WANT. What's more important, career or family?
As for only You being able to make You happy...i couldn't be happy alone, introvert that i am, and i don't think that anyone in the world can, really...we need each other. We need love and care and family, and we need to do our duty by them. (and so do guys).
Look, You don't have to post this. Ms E: i like You a LOT, and respect You far more than i respect most people, but i just think we at the Sisterhood need to calm down, and not be so extreme...
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