A Woman’s Daily Life from the 1950s vs. Now
- Tanjeen Twinkle
- Nov 12, 2017
- 3 min read

Photo Credit: Pinterest
In the 50s, males would be the breadwinner of the house and provide for the family, while the wives stay at home and watch the kids.
They would do housework, such as cook, clean, laundry, wait on their husband, etc. They will make sure they look presentable for their husbands when they come and it will only be about their husband.
I remember reading an excerpted from an actual 1950's high school Home Economics textbook in 8th grade English. Here are some of the things the textbook said: MAKE HIM COMFORTABLE: Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest that he lie down in the bedroom. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.
LISTEN TO HIM: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first. MAKE THE EVENING HIS: Never complain if he doesn't take you to dinner or to other entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his need to unwind and relax. The main idea of the textbook is that it’s the “woman job” to make their home a place of peace and order where their husband can relax in body and spirit.
Based, on all the rules in this ridiculous textbook, this shows that women's daily lives revolves men. It our job to take care of them, watch their kids, and make them feel comfortable.
It makes it seems like women’s lives aren’t important as men because they don’t make money. I strongly think that’s an abomination to society. Thankfully, society changed over the years, but needs a little work on women rights.
Now in the modern society, women are taking over the world. Our lives don’t revolve around men. They are not sun anymore and we’re not the earth revolving around them.
We work and make a living everyday. We have the power to be the breadwinner of the house. We can be a CEO of a business, fashion, and editorial company.
We don’t have to stay home and watch the kids and have the men only and always expect that. They can take care of themselves and watch the kids too. Their should be a 50/50 with housework and taking care of the kids.
I’m glad society is changing day by day. I’m glad women’s rights is increasing slowly day by day. I mean, we’re not fully there yet. We still need to work on the equal job pay, we need to fix some violence and sexual harassment regulations, careers that gravitate towards men, etc.
However, it’s better than being a housewife in 1950s. Where you have minimal rights. Some women couldn’t work, but if they did. They would be looked down upon by people.
They always have to look nice and presentable. They have to be calm, collective, and not shared their opinions. The husbands made decision for the house in the 1950s. Also, when men and women would get a divorce in 1950s, the court will give the kids to the wife because it’s their duty to “take care of the kids”.
Luckily, things are different in the 21st century. Women can share their opinions and ideas. They can run the house however they want to.
I’m not ashamed to tell people this, but my mom is the boss of the house. Yes, she is a housewife, but she still runs the house. My mom is also the most loud, funny, and opinionated woman you’ll ever meet. She is way different from a 1950s housewife and I give her props everyday for taking care of us and watching us. I love her and I will always be grateful to her and my dad because he helps her out as well.What’s great is my dad helps around the house too and work.
Overall, there’s nothing wrong with being a housewife. If you want to be a housewife, go for it but don’t revolve around your husband.
If you don’t like something your husband said or did, you should tell him. Don’t be afraid to be opinionated, it’s good to share ideas and communicate in your relationship.
Yes, you should care for your husband and kids, but also care for yourself. Also, if you need help with the housework than ask your husband to help you out because housework and responsibility should be equally spread out between husbands and wives.
At the end of the day, anyone can be a housewife. Just don’t forget wives’ lives are equally important as the husbands, even though they don’t have a job. This is not the 1950s anymore and I’m grateful for that.
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