Sunday Funnies – Housewife Humor And Romanticizing The 50s
Posted on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012
My Gram saved the Sunday Funny Papers for me and my daughter Nicole every week – many, many years ago. I think it gave us both an appreciation for the fine art of mixing humor with work. (It could also explain a lot… ) I’ll try to pass on my Gram’s gift here, sort of as a reminder to laugh every day. Thanks, Gram. Let’s see who’s got a chuckle for us today…
If you are a woman in her 50s or older, you most likely have read Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique. Back in the 60s, her ground-breaking, some say ground-shaking, book restarted the conversation about a woman’s place in the world. After the long hard fight to finally pass the Nineteenth Amendment in 1919, women actually had a couple decades of chiseling out some pretty remarkable achievements. Education, careers, adventures, government… many women were making their mark in the world in areas other than housewifery and motherhood.
The reason I bring up this little history is because of the irony of what happened next. Enter World War II. Women were called upon to use their vast resources, strengths, talents, and courage to keep the war machine moving. You’ve all seen pictures of Rosie the Riveter. Well, that’s no exaggeration. Women were in the factories, hospitals, and serving in the military (my Mom was a Marine.) Not funny? No, but there’s a connection here if you’ll stick with me.
Then the war ended. A weary Nation was ready to come home and stay home. The entire country was focused on the home front. Men and women were settling in, and not all women were so thrilled with this new situation. Remember; these women were in charge, truly in charge, during the war years. And now they were expected to leave their jobs, classrooms, careers and everything they created to make room for the men.
Still not funny? I know. So, here’s the connection. During those post World War II years, the Baby Boom years, everyone from the government to advertisers “sold” men and women on the idea that a “woman’s place was in the home” in order to build a bigger, better, and stronger America. The image of the American Housewife post WWII is that of a woman wearing a shirtwaist dress, an apron, heels, a string of pearls, and a smile while standing in front of a fully equipped ‘modern’ kitchen. Advertisers sold the idea of the “professional homemaker” so women would take this job seriously and create a kitchen just like the ones they see in the magazines.
This, of course, is a generalization. Not all women were housewives in suburbia America buying up appliances like her life depending on it. But, many were. And that’s where the funny comes in. Maybe not ‘ha ha’ funny but maybe more like ‘it’s funny because it’s true’ sort of thing.
Some of these women who left the world of manufacturing, medicine, and military to settle into the world of housewifery resented it. Cocktails and Valium became a constant during that era. Women were told by their doctor that any concern they had with their unease, restless, or worse, was “all in their heads” and would go away soon enough… by the way, here are some pills to take.
So, yes. Now when we look at those images of happy housewives mopping the floor, serving up dinner, or any of the countless chores befitting the mistress of the house, we can almost read their mind. And what results is typically a ridiculously ironic and sometimes biting caption. And THAT’S what’s so dang funny.
Take any image of a homemaker you want from a 1946 to 1964 magazine and just imagine yourself in the same situation. Okay, I’ll wear an apron, but I have yet to throw on my high heels to wipe up the floor. And, yeah, I guess I would harbor a lot of resentment if I was expected to cook up a big dinner, serve it up, clean it up, and then be told that’s all I could do.
And, yeah, resentment is best washed down with a couple cocktails and a Valium.
Romanticizing the late 40s and the 50s can be fun. But I think taking a mocking, humorous look at what was really happening in many homes across America is healthy.
So that’s my long winded story about why I find this particular Anne Taintor item funny, interesting, and it speaks volumes about an era we love, and laugh at, sometimes with a little cringe, too. With that cringe in mind, here’s my caption:
“Dinner’s ready, dear. Oh, no, you go ahead. I’m not hungry. The Gimlets and Valium seems to have filled me up.”
p.s. If you have NOT read The Feminine Mystique, you really should. The topic may seem old fashioned or out of date today, but maybe not. I think there’s always something to learn about how our mothers and grandmothers saw themselves as they came of age. It explains a lot about them, but also a lot about how we were raised, too.
You can buy it here by clicking on the Amazon link. There are several editions to choose from. I hope you will take the time to read it.
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I’ve been giving books about women feminists as graduation presents to young women I know– they have no idea what the struggle was!
Excellent idea, Lisa. In some ways, we want our daughters to never know the struggle, never feel the struggle. In the same way we long for our children never to be touched by bigotry and hatred. But knowledge and vigilance seem to be necessary to keep from slipping backwards. I agree with you – I think many young women today are complacent when it comes to their rights. Without my getting into politics here, let me just say I’m afraid these young women are in for a rude awakening if they are not watchful.
Thank you so much for stopping by to read and comment. I always appreciate the time you take out of your busy schedule.
Great post, Patti. Being a 55 year old woman, I am the daughter of a 50’s stay at home mother that to this day puts herself down saying that she’s not very smart and never really worked in her life. For this reason, she encouraged me to do well in school, go to college and have a career. I was always torn because I admire my mother and because of her dedication to the home and family I had a great childhood. BUT – I went on to have a career in the insurance business and having my own business along with my husband since I was 23 years old. Because of my upbringing, I also realized how important it was to make a nice home and have regular sit down meals, etc. I always tried to balance being a working career life with that of being a good wife, mother and homemaker. Not an easy job. I did it, though, and I did a fairly good job, but it was hard. So we as the women of the world are still evolving on this issue. Full time mothers are the backbone of family and I still admire full time stay at home mothers. But I probably would never have felt completely fulfilled had I not also had a career. I was lucky in that I had my own business and could leave when necessary if I was needed as a mother, and my husband was and is the best father ever. It’s definitely a hard balance to find and an issue I have tried to find the best answer for my whole life. Sorry to get so wordy – I guess your post really hit home with me and I could relate so well to!
I’m so glad you found my post interesting, Nina. I really appreciate the time you took to read it and share your thoughts.
I think our mothers had a difficult time during the 50s. These were strong, independent women who became a part of the post war fervor to build the home and re-build America. It was a grand undertaking for a tired, grateful nation. And these women took their homemaking seriously, as they rightly should have. I’m grateful my Mom made a good home for us. I’m grateful my Dad kept a job. But my Mom, like yours, possessed an undercurrent of dissatisfaction, and it showed. As we got older, we were aware of her desire for us kids to NOT follow in her footsteps. Oh, she was proud of her homemaking skills, but I know she felt disconnected from the world at large. She was, after all, a Marine during WWII. To return to her small hometown after being a Marine in Washington DC, to settle into marriage and becoming “just a housewife” (as these women thought of themselves) had to be a letdown. But, she dug in and made a career of homemaking.
Like you, I am happy my Mom gave us a table to gather around and good meals to share. But, our home wasn’t always peaceful and pleasant. I believe part of trouble was due to the fact that my Mom was frustrated with her place in the home, and in life. She was a very smart woman, good in school, and very interested in so many things. She was constantly reading, clipping tidbits of info from magazines and newspapers, and passing them out to us; “Here, Patti. I saved this for you.” It could have been anything from how to make herb oil to the names of the winning dogs at the Iditarod that year to a biography of some sort.
So, yes, my Mom was a housewife, a homemaker, and lived the life those words entailed. But, she was also telling us, by word and deed, that she wanted more for us. Mothers of the 50s had a tough assignment.
Thank you, again, Nina, for sharing your thoughts.
That’s why our moms threw themselves into volunteer work. My mom wrote plays, created banners, did tons of cool creative stuff at church. She has regrets now at 88 though,as she knows she could have used her talents in a genuine profession. Makes me sad for her sometimes. Although she does have the advantage that even at 88, she’s a far better cook than I’ll ever be.
Love Betty Friedan!
Thank you, Barbara, for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Yes, I agree that for some women, being unencumbered by a career or job outside the home freed them to explore some of their creative interests. And I think only the passage of time and hindsight allows us to see the missed opportunities. I know my Mom was fraught with “I wish I would have” thoughts. But then I see myself working all those years while my daughter was growing up and thinking “I wish I would have” thoughts, too. There is no perfect solution. We’ll always regret doing, or not doing, something. Of course, being a good cook is definitely a bonus of being a homemaker! 😉
Thanks, again, Barbara. I don’t know what got me thinking about Betty Friedan, but I’m glad I did. I need to go dig up my old books and see what I can find.
Thank you for always teaching me stuff. You put it in such interesting ways, you keep me reading. Often, long posts are just too much for me, but, I love your point of view. And I feel like I just keep learning from you! Thank you!
Wow, Lisa, thank you so much, both for taking time to actually read my long post (yikes! I know) and for commenting. Thank you, also, for the sweet compliment. I’m glad you’re learning some stuff from these ol’ lady ramblings as well as being entertained. That’s my mission! 😉
Thanks again, Lisa!
You’re very welcome! It’s just my ADHD brain – I easily get overwhelmed. But your posts are like reading a good book! 😉
ah, Lisa… you are a peach! Thank you. 😀
Hey, I’m glad you commented on my recent post and it led me here. I’m thinking I should come back. Thank you.
Hi Tess!
I’m glad you found me. And, yes, do come back and visit often. You know I love the company.
And I love your blog and will be back often.
Thanks again, Tess, for stopping by and for commenting.
😉
{Note from Patti: Tess’ blog is called “How The Cookie Crumbles” BUT the url is what really got me laughing: http://letscutthecrap.wordpress.com/
Yup you read that right. Let’s Cut The Crap. HA! Great!}