Essay On The 1955 Good Housewife's Guide

1488 Words3 Pages

When analyzing the 1950s, it is clear that racial segregation, strict sexual mores, oppressive women’s rights, and high materialism were considered normal. Interracial marriage and divorces were an abomination in this time period and there was a major issue with racism in the 50s. Additionally, women were held to a different standard than men, they were to maintain the home and rear children, it was thought to be their only purpose. Furthermore, homosexuality was believed to be a sickness that could be cured, it was forbidden by society to be a homosexual. The 1960s counter-culture was all about rallying against these. This paper argues that despite the values of the 1950’s that the counterculture sought to reject, issues under the surface …show more content…

The guide was oppressive of women, and when an individual reads this in a modern period, it can be considered shocking and scary. The guide listed down rules that wives need to follow to be considered “good.” Notably, women were tasked to know their place, at home and doing everything to keep it in tip-top shape for the husband. The first things their husbands must see when they reached home were good food, a good-looking wife, and a good-looking home. They were tasked to look good for their husbands all the time and remember that what transpired during the day for their husband at work was much more important than theirs. Back in the 50s, this was probably not something women found oppressive, however, the youth in the 60s could no longer accept these values, among many other things. Although, these standards for women were not considered oppressive of women, it was a matter that was boiling at the surface. This document elucidates the values of women in the 1950’s and how they are to behave according to society. This standard could not be tolerated anymore by the youth, therefore, it assisted in leading to the 1960’s counterculture by assisting the youth in shaping new values and

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