Comments on: 1950s Parenting: Something to Aspire to? http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2006/11/17/1950s-parenting-something-to-aspire-to/ Parenting, Politics and News for the Perfectly Challenged Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:31:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Robert Hewitt http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2006/11/17/1950s-parenting-something-to-aspire-to/#comment-297358 Robert Hewitt Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:28:19 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2006/11/17/1950s-parenting-something-to-aspire-to/#comment-297358 I grew up in the 1950s in a large industrial city in a household that was, in some ways, typical: two parents; father who'd served in WWII; part-time housekeeper; grandmother who lived with us part of the time; parents who did have cocktail parties with me in the general vicinity; and obligatory attendance at church on Sundays. There was, however, one difference between my house and those of most of my friends. My mother was a professional in that she had always, even before I was born, worked as, first, an assistant manager and, then, manager of drug stores. She was a caring wife and mother who, as I recall, arranged everything for our comfort at home. At the same time, she was a high-powered, energetic woman who enjoyed the outlet that work gave her. She worked from choice, not necessity, a fact my father did sometimes point out when he was irritated about pretty much anything. Truthfully, I don't think that he minded her working, but he did seem to mind at times the <em>idea</em> of her working, maybe because it was relatively unusual. As someone who was there, I can confirm that the 1950s were in many ways a wonderful time to grow up, but they weren't - as Bizimama obviously suspects - ideal for all concerned. I grew up in the 1950s in a large industrial city in a household that was, in some ways, typical: two parents; father who’d served in WWII; part-time housekeeper; grandmother who lived with us part of the time; parents who did have cocktail parties with me in the general vicinity; and obligatory attendance at church on Sundays. There was, however, one difference between my house and those of most of my friends. My mother was a professional in that she had always, even before I was born, worked as, first, an assistant manager and, then, manager of drug stores. She was a caring wife and mother who, as I recall, arranged everything for our comfort at home. At the same time, she was a high-powered, energetic woman who enjoyed the outlet that work gave her. She worked from choice, not necessity, a fact my father did sometimes point out when he was irritated about pretty much anything. Truthfully, I don’t think that he minded her working, but he did seem to mind at times the idea of her working, maybe because it was relatively unusual. As someone who was there, I can confirm that the 1950s were in many ways a wonderful time to grow up, but they weren’t - as Bizimama obviously suspects - ideal for all concerned.

]]> By: Jessica http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2006/11/17/1950s-parenting-something-to-aspire-to/#comment-8754 Jessica Mon, 20 Nov 2006 03:16:46 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2006/11/17/1950s-parenting-something-to-aspire-to/#comment-8754 Plus, we didn't have the internet to cast mothers on trial for all they do wrong. I am a nostalgic person at heart anyway. I say bring back the Channel suits and martinis and let the kids entertain themselves once in a while. What a concept! Plus, we didn’t have the internet to cast mothers on trial for all they do wrong.

I am a nostalgic person at heart anyway. I say bring back the Channel suits and martinis and let the kids entertain themselves once in a while. What a concept!

]]> By: Bizimama http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2006/11/17/1950s-parenting-something-to-aspire-to/#comment-8427 Bizimama Sat, 18 Nov 2006 21:07:37 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2006/11/17/1950s-parenting-something-to-aspire-to/#comment-8427 Although most families of the 1950's were not "Leave it to Beaver" families, I do believe that the women of that era were more relaxed, since many more of them had the luxury of being able to stay at home with their children. (For the most part, one salary was enough to support a family). I also believe there was less stress, anger, frustration, etc, because more mothers were home nurturing their families and homes; without having to "burn the candle at both ends" to make ends meet. It would be interesting to have listened to some of the conversations over martinis where some women might have expressed the desire to work outside of the home(not out of necessity mind you). How sad that I have heard many conversations of women that would give just about anything to do just the opposite and stay at home...Another martini anyone? Bizimama www.bizimama.com www.lordsart.com Although most families of the 1950’s were not “Leave it to Beaver” families, I do believe that the women of that era were more relaxed, since many more of them had the luxury of being able to stay at home with their children. (For the most part, one salary was enough to support a family). I also believe there was less stress, anger, frustration, etc, because more mothers were home nurturing their families and homes; without having to “burn the candle at both ends” to make ends meet. It would be interesting to have listened to some of the conversations over martinis where some women might have expressed the desire to work outside of the home(not out of necessity mind you). How sad that I have heard many conversations of women that would give just about anything to do just the opposite and stay at home…Another martini anyone?

Bizimama
http://www.bizimama.com
http://www.lordsart.com

]]> By: Momish http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2006/11/17/1950s-parenting-something-to-aspire-to/#comment-8424 Momish Sat, 18 Nov 2006 20:25:46 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2006/11/17/1950s-parenting-something-to-aspire-to/#comment-8424 I love your assessment of the bipolarization going on in parenting. My thoughts on this would be one big whopping, "ditto"! I think the kid-worshipping is over the top, especially having grown up in the kids-are-seen-not-heard world. But, having a happy hour playdate just rings somewhat off to me. Not that I don't "relax" around my child, but again, I agree with you, it will never be the highlight of my week. Excellent post! I love your assessment of the bipolarization going on in parenting. My thoughts on this would be one big whopping, “ditto”! I think the kid-worshipping is over the top, especially having grown up in the kids-are-seen-not-heard world. But, having a happy hour playdate just rings somewhat off to me. Not that I don’t “relax” around my child, but again, I agree with you, it will never be the highlight of my week. Excellent post!

]]> By: Amy http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2006/11/17/1950s-parenting-something-to-aspire-to/#comment-8347 Amy Fri, 17 Nov 2006 14:54:51 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2006/11/17/1950s-parenting-something-to-aspire-to/#comment-8347 I read that article, and actually wrote about something similar for a local paper but it was a day late and a dollar short because of the Times piece! I read that article, and actually wrote about something similar for a local paper but it was a day late and a dollar short because of the Times piece!

]]>