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Vintage Home Economics Textbook Excerpt

rcoats@netcom.com (Robert Coats)
(smirk, gender roles)

Here is an excerpt of a 1950's vintage home economics textbook. This is 
real--I've seen the actual book. The page this text was lifted from 
features a picture of a "June Cleaver" type-of-gal unloading a full oven 
of food. Of course, she is in a dress, apron, and has a huge smile...

Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious 
meal--on time. This is a way of  letting him know that you have been 
thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are  
hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of 
the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when 
he arrives. Touch up your makeup,  put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh 
looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little  
gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

Clear away the clutter: Make one last trip through the main part of the 
house just before your husband  arrives, gathering up school books, toys, 
paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband  will 
feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a 
lift, too.

Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and 
faces (if they are small) comb  their hair, and if necessary, change 
their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them  
playing the part.

Minimize all noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of 
washer, dryer, dishwasher  or vacuum. Try  to encourage the children to 
be quiet. Be happy to see him: Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to 
see him.

Some don'ts: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain 
if he's late for dinner. Count this  as minor compared with what he might 
have gone through that day.

Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or 
suggest he lie down in the bedroom  Have a cool or warm drink ready for 
him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low,  
soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax--unwind.

Listen to him: You may have a dozen thing 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 does not take you out to 
dinner or to other places of  entertainment. Instead, try to understand 
his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.

The goal: Try to make your home a place of peace an order where your 
husband can renew himself in body and spirit. 


[My, my; how times change.]

(From the "Rest" of RHF)


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