Marriage is an old institution but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been updated over the years. This is especially true when looking at marriage advice for brides and wives from the 1900s.
The rise in the feminist movement and women in the workforce have been major factors in creating more equal, modern married relationships. However, this wasn’t always the case, with women relegated to the home and caring for her husband and children.
While some advice, like making time for each other and not going to bed angry, may have stood the test of time, other bits of wisdom have not. Take a look and have a laugh at the absurd expectations of women from the past and then leave these tips in the history books where they belong.
Don’t bother him with your problems
“Don’t bother your husband with petty troubles and complaints when he comes home from work.” –Sex Today in Wedded Life, by Edward Podolsky, 1943.
Your nagging will cause the divorce
“I verily believe that the happiness of homes is destroyed more frequently by the habit of nagging than by any other one. A man may stand that sort of thing (nagging) for a long time, but the chances are against his standing it permanently. If he needs peace to make life bearable, he will have to look for it elsewhere than in his own house. And it is quite likely that he will look.” – Sex Satisfaction and Happy Marriage, Reverend Alfred Henry Tyrer, 1951.
Sex is not for fun and not for you
“At this point, dear reader, let me concede one shocking truth. Some young women actually anticipate the wedding night ordeal with curiosity and pleasure! Beware such an attitude! A selfish and sensual husband can easily take advantage of such a bride. One cardinal rule of marriage should never be forgotten: GIVE LITTLE, GIVE SELDOM, AND ABOVE ALL, GIVE GRUDGINGLY. Otherwise what could have been a proper marriage could become an orgy of sexual lust.” – Instruction and Advice for the Young Bride, 1894.
Pink underwear is key
“That the underwear should be spotlessly clean goes without saying , but every woman should wear the best quality underwear that she can afford. And the colour… should be preferably pink. And lace and ruffles, I am sorry to say, add to the attractiveness of underwear, and are liked by the average man.” –Married Life and Happiness, William Josephus Robinson, 1922.
Don’t be lazy
“Nothing destroys the happiness of married life more than the lazy, slovenly wife.” –Bath Chronicle, Dobbin Crawford, 1930.
Don’t clean too well
“Men like a clean house, but fussing about all the time, upsetting the house in order to keep it clean, will drive a man from the house elsewhere.”- Married Life And Happiness, Dr. William Josephus Robinson, 1922.
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