Age-old advice: Wifely duties

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/12/2016 (3264 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

From Sincerely Edan Wright, published Nov. 10, 1961

Dear Edan Wright: A lot of young brides expect their husbands to help with the housework even though they have nothing to do but take care of the house and look after their guy. I am only 18 and I’ve just been married three months. I started out expecting my husband to fetch and carry for me because I thought this was the modern thing to do.

Well, my husband set his foot down. He told me that I’d have to attend to my end of the marriage whether it was the modern way or not. He said he’d help me whenever I needed it but he wasn’t going to come home to do my work when I was capable of it.

That set me thinking that marriage is giving and all I had had in mind was to take. I turned over a new leaf and things are very different now. When my husband comes home, he gets his slippers. I give him a back rub if he is tired. I have dinner ready for him. After we’ve eaten, I draw his bath and he relaxes in the tub while I do the dishes.

My girl friends think I’m “way out.” But if being “way out” brings the happiness that I have found, I suggest that everyone try it.

-Carol T.

Dear Carol: You can bet your life that a lot of husbands will start to urge it. And brother — they’ll be green with envy.

Sincerely,
Edan Wright