1950s Attitudes
Sep 20th 2012, 2:28 pm
#62
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: 1950s Attitudes
Very interesting. When I (the American) moved to Aberdeen, as an American, I was surprised how many women did NOT work. Its become such a norm here in the US that for economic reasons, women work. I had no problems finding gal pals for things to do during the day.
I'd say for many families here in the US (I'm using New England to the South for my perspective) - the ones with women NOT working were generally more 'religious' - adhering to biblical teaching. You'll hear that down here in Texas a lot... Men provide, women raise kids.
BUT, you'll also find a lot of women not working as their husbands make $$$ and they CAN stay home and raise children. (Or not, whatever the choice.) Many women work simply to afford the daycare or nanny (which has already been discussed.)
My hubby is in Oil and Gas here and has women in his department who are married to men in other O&G companies but they continue to work - for resources reasons. In general, an 'average' American family cannot live comfortably on one paycheck. I grew of age in the late 80s and it was clear to my general a number of facts. 1. Don't depend on Social Security to retire. 2. You cannot move forward without at least a Bachelor's degree. 3. As a woman, plan on working.
The days of going to college to find a husband were GONE by the 80s.
As for religion - I lived years in Pakistan and Sudan. OP needs to spend some time in these areas. Or how about Utah???
I'm sorry the OP finds his environment so oppressing here to his particular moral value set. Planes do go back to the UK, don't they?
I'd say for many families here in the US (I'm using New England to the South for my perspective) - the ones with women NOT working were generally more 'religious' - adhering to biblical teaching. You'll hear that down here in Texas a lot... Men provide, women raise kids.
BUT, you'll also find a lot of women not working as their husbands make $$$ and they CAN stay home and raise children. (Or not, whatever the choice.) Many women work simply to afford the daycare or nanny (which has already been discussed.)
My hubby is in Oil and Gas here and has women in his department who are married to men in other O&G companies but they continue to work - for resources reasons. In general, an 'average' American family cannot live comfortably on one paycheck. I grew of age in the late 80s and it was clear to my general a number of facts. 1. Don't depend on Social Security to retire. 2. You cannot move forward without at least a Bachelor's degree. 3. As a woman, plan on working.
The days of going to college to find a husband were GONE by the 80s.
As for religion - I lived years in Pakistan and Sudan. OP needs to spend some time in these areas. Or how about Utah???
I'm sorry the OP finds his environment so oppressing here to his particular moral value set. Planes do go back to the UK, don't they?
1) we wanted one of us to raise him and since I make good money, it was sensible for that to be her
2) Childcare is expensive. It doesn't make financial sense for my wife to work. I lose her tax benefits and her entire salary would be taken up in childcare costs (in fact it probably wouldn't even cover it). It makes much more sense for her not to work than to work.
We're fortunate in that she WANTS to stay at home and raise our son. If she wanted a career, then we'd have to re-evaluate. She will go back to work though when the kids are at school even if it's doing something from home.
I also have some very good friends where the wife has gone back to work, primarily because although her husband makes good money, she does too and she also gets medical which her husband does not. It's amazing how much the financial arguments come into play for that decision here.
Sep 20th 2012, 3:39 pm
#63
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: 1950s Attitudes
This is good advice and I find packing a lunch easier & yummier in the USA than in England. Little Debbie Snack Cakes, I'm talking about.
The company is out in Worcester, but he lives in town.
Sep 20th 2012, 3:47 pm
#64
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,539
Re: 1950s Attitudes
I didn't realise they were from Massachusetts!
Sep 20th 2012, 3:56 pm
#65
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: 1950s Attitudes
I worked at Harvard for five years when we moved here in 1991. At my going away party from that job, my colleagues gave me a mixed box of Little Debbies because I always brought one in in my lunchbox... lasted me a couple of years at my new job, they did. Fortunately you can ignore the "use by" date on those things, they stay "fresh" for ever...
I didn't realise they were from Massachusetts!
I didn't realise they were from Massachusetts!
For most of that first trip, there were usually a few well-stuffed plastic bags filled with those accompanying my carton of cigs in the cupboard
Sep 20th 2012, 3:59 pm
#66
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,539
Re: 1950s Attitudes
The first time I came out to visit my wife-to-be and saw all the Little Debbies on display at the shop, I will admit I went a bit mad, as you do when you've a few grand in spending dollars and nothing else to buy except cheap fags and a present for your ma ...
For most of that first trip, there were usually a few well-stuffed plastic bags filled with those accompanying my carton of cigs in the cupboard
For most of that first trip, there were usually a few well-stuffed plastic bags filled with those accompanying my carton of cigs in the cupboard
Sep 20th 2012, 4:02 pm
#67
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Sep 20th 2012, 4:03 pm
#68
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Sep 20th 2012, 4:39 pm
#69
I love my brick!
Joined: May 2007
Location: Peachy
Posts: 9,304
Re: 1950s Attitudes
The first time I came out to visit my wife-to-be and saw all the Little Debbies on display at the shop, I will admit I went a bit mad, as you do when you've a few grand in spending dollars and nothing else to buy except cheap fags and a present for your ma ...
For most of that first trip, there were usually a few well-stuffed plastic bags filled with those accompanying my carton of cigs in the cupboard
For most of that first trip, there were usually a few well-stuffed plastic bags filled with those accompanying my carton of cigs in the cupboard
Sep 20th 2012, 4:39 pm
#70
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Sep 20th 2012, 4:52 pm
#73
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Sep 20th 2012, 5:24 pm
#74
In the pink
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,324
Re: 1950s Attitudes
[QUOTE=dlake02;10287409]
Is this some weirdness of the Bay, or has true equality not happened in the US to the same extent that it has in the UK or other parts of Europe that we know (NL, DE, FR).
Not many mums work full-time or at all in the NL. It's almost looked down upon to leave the children with hired help.
http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/08/19/t...appiness-axis/
Is this some weirdness of the Bay, or has true equality not happened in the US to the same extent that it has in the UK or other parts of Europe that we know (NL, DE, FR).
Not many mums work full-time or at all in the NL. It's almost looked down upon to leave the children with hired help.
http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/08/19/t...appiness-axis/
Last edited by Mallory; Sep 20th 2012 at 6:27 pm.
