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A 1950s Housewife
Getting married in the 1950s was quite a different experience to how it is today. After the independence of the wartime years, women now had to leave their jobs when they married and support their husband by creating a spotless home, delicious meals and an inviting bedroom. From ingenious cleaning tips, ration-book recipes and home decor inspiration, the homemaking methods of the 1950s give a hilarious and poignant insight into the lives of women in that decade. In A 1950s Housewife, author, wife, mother and grandmother Sheila Hardy collects heart-warming personal anecdotes from those women, many of whom are now in their eighties, who embarked on married life during this fascinating post-war period and provides a heart-warming trip down memory lane for any wife or child of the 1950s.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 24, 2017
I have to admit I picked this book up out of curiosity more than anything else. I didn’t come into it totally ignorant – I may be a millennial, but time well spent with grandparents elucidated many of the mysteries of ‘what was it like in the olden days’. Yes, that was the question my child self posed to my no doubt bemused grandparents. Thus, I primarily picked the book up for two reasons. First – nostalgia of visits to grandsires and their enthralling tales of days gone by. Second – what aspects hadn’t they told me about?
If you’re looking for a well-referenced history textbook, you won’t find it here. This isn’t a footnoted academic study. Rather, the author has compiled the accounts and anecdotes of numerous unnamed contemporaries to create a pastiche look at what life was generally like for the young married woman of the 1950s. And it’s worth noting that the book looks specifically at 1950s Britain – ideal for my purposes, but others hoping to get a look at 1950s America may want to think again.
For the most part, it was a trip down memory lane for me – I was well aware of the appliances the 1950s lacked, the routine of the average housewife, the social expectations. But once in a while a fact slipped through that I hadn’t known about before; such as single beds being as small as 2’6” wide (I had a 3’6” bed growing up) and doubles for the married couple usually came in at just 4’ wide. There was also a bit about the ubiquitousness of brightly coloured high heels in a style that provoked terrible corns and bunions – and somehow, even though high heels and dress codes are currently a hot topic in Britain at time of writing this review, I never connected the poor condition of my grandmother’s feet with 1950s rage for high heels. As for other subjects which my grandparents never mentioned to me, I’ve seen in a lot of 1940s and 1950s set films of recent years an unusual trend of suggesting that much more shenanigans went on behind closed doors than our prior view of the conservative inhabitants of the era, and questioned whether or not this new trend of a secretly footloose 50s was correct. Well, the book certainly elucidates just how little many brides-to-be knew before their marriages, and the extreme difficulty in obtaining any sort of advice or planning materials. Perhaps most interestingly of all, the book highlights how many of today’s socially accepted attitudes and ways of doing things had their germination in the 1950s – everything from divorce law to the fully fitted kitchen, women wearing trousers to the ‘waste not, want not’ attitude combined with new labour saving devices prompting the rise in modern obesity.
7 out of 10
February 15, 2014
Originally posted
HERE
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What an interesting, comprehensive book this is!
Do not be fooled by the oh-so cutesy packaging; this isn’t one of those lifestyle guides conservative ladies pass around during Bible study. What it is is a spectacularly well-researched, extremely detailed look at life in 1950s England. That is life in general, though there is an emphasis on the life of young women just getting started in their marriages.
Based on many personal accounts from volunteer contributors, the author has constructed a fascinating book that doesn’t paint anything perfectly or otherwise. You’ll hear as much about the hardships as the parts everyone likes to reminisce about. The detail that might become tedious in lesser hands is engrossing here. You’ll know how much things cost and who could afford them, the different things people did for fun, the different modes of transportation, the food that was eaten. The details on housework are terrifying. Even though I’ve heard many stories from family members, seeing it all put together in this book adds up to an exhausting explanation as to why there wasn’t an obesity problem in the 1950s!
A 1950s Housewife makes me think the British had it harder in the 1950s than the average Australian or American, thanks to the Second World War.
This is an eye-opener for anyone who tends to be delusional about “how much better” things were in the past, and is a book I’d highly recommend for anyone with an interest in this era.
What an interesting, comprehensive book this is!
Do not be fooled by the oh-so cutesy packaging; this isn’t one of those lifestyle guides conservative ladies pass around during Bible study. What it is is a spectacularly well-researched, extremely detailed look at life in 1950s England. That is life in general, though there is an emphasis on the life of young women just getting started in their marriages.
Based on many personal accounts from volunteer contributors, the author has constructed a fascinating book that doesn’t paint anything perfectly or otherwise. You’ll hear as much about the hardships as the parts everyone likes to reminisce about. The detail that might become tedious in lesser hands is engrossing here. You’ll know how much things cost and who could afford them, the different things people did for fun, the different modes of transportation, the food that was eaten. The details on housework are terrifying. Even though I’ve heard many stories from family members, seeing it all put together in this book adds up to an exhausting explanation as to why there wasn’t an obesity problem in the 1950s!
A 1950s Housewife makes me think the British had it harder in the 1950s than the average Australian or American, thanks to the Second World War.
This is an eye-opener for anyone who tends to be delusional about “how much better” things were in the past, and is a book I’d highly recommend for anyone with an interest in this era.
March 26, 2013
Easy to read and very interesting about the lives of British wives in the 1950's. I've read many American accounts of the period, but as they didn't have to deal with housing shortages, food rationing, and rebuilding a country, I now realize the British wife had quite a few more challenges in her life.
After reading this, I am even more appreciative of the women's movement. And tights. And not wearing a girdle.
After reading this, I am even more appreciative of the women's movement. And tights. And not wearing a girdle.
December 28, 2023
This was a surprise read as I found it browsing my library's catalogue. At first I thought it was about American housewives (I've been reading quite a few books on Amer. women's history), however, once I realized it was postwar England I was almost more excited. I wondered what effects growing up in a depression and world war would have on the newlywed 1950's woman. Long into the 50's there was still rationing plus a major housing crisis in Britain.
Each chapter tells of a different aspect of life a young wife would have been dealing with: housing, shopping, leisure, sex, etc. It was mostly generalizations with some firsthand accounts spattered within. I'm glad I was aware of some of the British vocabulary (crisps, chips, row, lorrie, jumper, etc) as it kept me from scratching my head and googling everything.
It's interesting to read this history and find out many "necessities" we use today (fridge, phone, car) were rare to the everyday person. I loved the parts about couples going to the cinema once a week or going dancing on a quiet Saturday evening. There were also many thing I found I was grateful to the present for: like an easier way to wash and dry my hair!
This was a fun and easy read. Perfect for those who love history.
Each chapter tells of a different aspect of life a young wife would have been dealing with: housing, shopping, leisure, sex, etc. It was mostly generalizations with some firsthand accounts spattered within. I'm glad I was aware of some of the British vocabulary (crisps, chips, row, lorrie, jumper, etc) as it kept me from scratching my head and googling everything.
It's interesting to read this history and find out many "necessities" we use today (fridge, phone, car) were rare to the everyday person. I loved the parts about couples going to the cinema once a week or going dancing on a quiet Saturday evening. There were also many thing I found I was grateful to the present for: like an easier way to wash and dry my hair!
This was a fun and easy read. Perfect for those who love history.
January 18, 2022
4 stars & 4/10 hearts. Well, this was a fascinating read. Somehow I thought it was about 1950s America, so I was mildly surprised at some things till I understood it was 1950s Britain! Of course, I found it even more interesting after that. ;) This book was an informative outline of the typical life of 1950s housewives, from the point of meeting “their man,” the wedding + honeymoon, the house they’d get + its furnishing, some of the chores, her shopping, leisure activities, dressing, health + beauty, & status. It is short—only 10 chapters—but honestly I found it riveting. The detailed information was fascinating—exactly what they wore, used, makeuped with… I loved it.
What takes off a star is the feministic overtone of the book which got pretty annoying—a constant “poor lady” attitude while it was obvious the ladies didn’t actually have it so bad and frankly, some of the stuff complained about was stuff that was definitely better and which it’s sad we’ve lost today (like the fact that women weren’t expected to have children when unmarried!). There was some information I could have done without (the last chapter, quite short, is entitled “let’s talk about sex” and mostly talks about contraception). There was also a pro-divorce attitude and something of an anti-man undertone. Overall, though, it was clean and quite honestly charming—and I would love a print copy to pull off my bookshelf and peruse every once in a while.
What takes off a star is the feministic overtone of the book which got pretty annoying—a constant “poor lady” attitude while it was obvious the ladies didn’t actually have it so bad and frankly, some of the stuff complained about was stuff that was definitely better and which it’s sad we’ve lost today (like the fact that women weren’t expected to have children when unmarried!). There was some information I could have done without (the last chapter, quite short, is entitled “let’s talk about sex” and mostly talks about contraception). There was also a pro-divorce attitude and something of an anti-man undertone. Overall, though, it was clean and quite honestly charming—and I would love a print copy to pull off my bookshelf and peruse every once in a while.
May 25, 2024
A lovely little book, I found this very interesting as it’s the decade my parents were born in. I love to learn about how day to day life has changed through the decades. It’s amazing to think how lives were much simpler before consumerism, it sounds like in many ways “less is more”!
June 9, 2013
A really good account of life in my childhood, which brought back so many memories. It is incredible how much life has changed since the 1950's and I so enjoyed reading about it. A book I would read again.
February 6, 2019
This is a very good book about what was expected of the typical housewife in the 1950s, and how the job description evolved from the decades before and after. The social values and expectations were so intriguing! It's better and worse than you thought.
February 14, 2017
I requested this book from the library because I am very intrigued by people’s lives in the 50s. I foolishly romanticize about the old-fashioned way of life from a postmodern perspective. As well, my own belief towards the benefits of having more defined and traditional gender roles (with conditions of course) makes me want to give this book a read.
This book is not quite what I have expected. I was expecting it to be more instructional and filled with tips and how-tos from the 50s. Instead, Sheila Hardy presents the material in a story-telling kind of descriptive way. She focuses on the period in an average young woman’s life between finishing her education to being married and to getting ready to start a family. Hardy covers topics on dating, working, wedding planning, vacation choices, living arrangements and homemaking, daily routines, fashion, health and beauty, hobbies, etc. I find it interesting to gain realistic perspectives on lives of women back in that era (1950s Britain). For example, I was surprised to learn that most young middle-class women, ones who hadn’t have any children, would stay in the work force in order to supplement their husbands’ income.
Certain parts of the book remind me just how industrious and frugal women were back in the day. Since their lives were dictated by the post war economy, it was not an option to be wasteful. Young women back then dreamed of (and worked very hard towards) getting a washing machine or a refrigerator. For me, there is something about the practice of living simply and resourfully that makes me wish (very, very, very naively) that I could live in such a time period.
In general, this is an enjoyable book. It didn’t take me too long to finish. It is written in very plain language, almost conversational. The content flows quite smoothly from one subject to the next, following either the chronological order or an expected daily schedule. I think people who might be reminiscence of the post war era or people who are intrigued specifically by women’s lives back then, would enjoy this book as well. I give the book 2.5 stars (3 on goodreads).
This book is not quite what I have expected. I was expecting it to be more instructional and filled with tips and how-tos from the 50s. Instead, Sheila Hardy presents the material in a story-telling kind of descriptive way. She focuses on the period in an average young woman’s life between finishing her education to being married and to getting ready to start a family. Hardy covers topics on dating, working, wedding planning, vacation choices, living arrangements and homemaking, daily routines, fashion, health and beauty, hobbies, etc. I find it interesting to gain realistic perspectives on lives of women back in that era (1950s Britain). For example, I was surprised to learn that most young middle-class women, ones who hadn’t have any children, would stay in the work force in order to supplement their husbands’ income.
Certain parts of the book remind me just how industrious and frugal women were back in the day. Since their lives were dictated by the post war economy, it was not an option to be wasteful. Young women back then dreamed of (and worked very hard towards) getting a washing machine or a refrigerator. For me, there is something about the practice of living simply and resourfully that makes me wish (very, very, very naively) that I could live in such a time period.
In general, this is an enjoyable book. It didn’t take me too long to finish. It is written in very plain language, almost conversational. The content flows quite smoothly from one subject to the next, following either the chronological order or an expected daily schedule. I think people who might be reminiscence of the post war era or people who are intrigued specifically by women’s lives back then, would enjoy this book as well. I give the book 2.5 stars (3 on goodreads).
March 13, 2022
I enjoy these sort of history books about regular people during a time period, and what life was like. This book was a very interesting look at the 1950's British Housewife. The affects of the second world war are still lingering, but the rapid change in society with the advent of the television, the end of rationing and the Queens coronation, as well as the cinema and Americanism seeping through, it was a time of great change for Britain and not just the housewife.
It loses a star, as it could of benefitted with better formatting (I read the ebook, and the lack of pictures/diagrams was annoying) especially when advertisements were mentioned, it would be nice to know what they actually looked like, rather that google searching them.
Further, considering the propaganda of the time was for a nuclear family - whilst there is mention of childcare, I am surprised it didn't get its own chapter.
Overall a fascinating look at young housewives and their lives during this decade.
It loses a star, as it could of benefitted with better formatting (I read the ebook, and the lack of pictures/diagrams was annoying) especially when advertisements were mentioned, it would be nice to know what they actually looked like, rather that google searching them.
Further, considering the propaganda of the time was for a nuclear family - whilst there is mention of childcare, I am surprised it didn't get its own chapter.
Overall a fascinating look at young housewives and their lives during this decade.
February 2, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this body of work. To me, it was such a vivid picture of life in the 1950s, I dare say a manual of how to live the life of a 1950s housewife. It deals with every aspect that I wondered about in my mind: growing up, dating, family structures, family roles, dating, wedding, intimacy, marriage, shopping, housework, beauty, fashion, entertainment and the list goes on. As someone who has no illusions of a paradise in any era of time, I do however revere many aspects of life in the 1950s so this is a book that I will be reading over and over again.
February 8, 2018
A nice little book that describes the life of a 1950s housewife in ENGLAND. It was interesting partly to see how different things were in England after the war relative to the US, where rationing was still not a part of life anymore. It was a well done snapshot of time and place that is a good contribution to that literature.
June 30, 2018
There's a lot of detail in here about really quite mundane things and reading three ladies take on what they had in their 'bottom drawer' can be a bit dull. However, as a chronicle of the times and a window on just how much things have changed, it is fascinating and in parts, very jolly and good fun.
One thing for sure, if you think we have austerity now, you can think again!
One thing for sure, if you think we have austerity now, you can think again!
May 30, 2019
Entertaining
It's quick look at what is was like to be a newlywed in the 1950s. From high school and education, expectations of the young single lady, wedding planning, and homemaking. Interesting and amusing. Some good practices and skills have gone by the wayside seen then but this made me glad to be a Gen-X-er😊
It's quick look at what is was like to be a newlywed in the 1950s. From high school and education, expectations of the young single lady, wedding planning, and homemaking. Interesting and amusing. Some good practices and skills have gone by the wayside seen then but this made me glad to be a Gen-X-er😊
December 12, 2019
Very informative about life in the 1950s
The information provided was quite descriptive and provided insight into life during the 1950s. 1950s Housewife is a good book to read for anyone looking to adapt some knowledge and way of living that has been long forgotten. In today’s world we are not as informed about simple life matters and how are parents learned about the world.
The information provided was quite descriptive and provided insight into life during the 1950s. 1950s Housewife is a good book to read for anyone looking to adapt some knowledge and way of living that has been long forgotten. In today’s world we are not as informed about simple life matters and how are parents learned about the world.
June 11, 2017
Fun trip back in time
I love the period of the 1950s so this was a fun read all about the every day life of a woman, wife and mother in those days. Quite a bit of fun information on housekeeping, meal planning, fashion, and leisure of the era.
I love the period of the 1950s so this was a fun read all about the every day life of a woman, wife and mother in those days. Quite a bit of fun information on housekeeping, meal planning, fashion, and leisure of the era.
July 14, 2019
Short and precise, this book is an enjoyable read that is easily accomplished in an afternoon. I wish it was a bit longer and perhaps more in depth in some chapters, but it gives a nice overview of the life of housewives in the 50s.
August 5, 2017
Interesting look at womens life in a time period often neglected by history books. I would like reading about the same subject from an American point of view.
March 30, 2018
Not enough
I was disappointed with this book. It wasn't a good source for finding out about the poorer classes . It seemed to be aimed at the middle class.
I was disappointed with this book. It wasn't a good source for finding out about the poorer classes . It seemed to be aimed at the middle class.
July 2, 2018
Interesting but not exactly what I expected
August 22, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It was a straightforward, yet interesting look at the British 1950’s housewife. Good read!
September 4, 2018
Misleading title and description. Still interesting. More about socio-economic and urban development than you'd probably expect.
September 10, 2018
A fascinating look at an era.
November 6, 2019
Based on author’s blogs. Entertaining.
January 2, 2020
I liked it, wish it was a bit longer and had more photos but I love life in England in the mid century so I was definitely a 5 star fan. :)
August 26, 2020
Good but short
Interesting but felt a bit too short much like this review which cannot be posted until the word count is fulfilled
Interesting but felt a bit too short much like this review which cannot be posted until the word count is fulfilled
September 8, 2021
Entertaining
Want to read
December 5, 2021This book looks specifically at 1950s in Britain, not in America.
May 11, 2022
More anecdotal than based in hard data, but it's a delightful & nostalgic look back at a very different (and very British focused) time period. A very easy & breezy trip through time.
January 1, 2023
Very interestimg!
I was really interested in the 1950s married life recently and this book pretty much satisfied that interest. Great, quick read! Finished it in an evening.
I was really interested in the 1950s married life recently and this book pretty much satisfied that interest. Great, quick read! Finished it in an evening.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews