Throughout history, homemaking guides and housewife manuals have provided women with advice on managing households and nurturing their marriages. These books reflect the societal norms of their time, often emphasizing traditional gender roles and the importance of creating a harmonious environment at home. A common theme among them is the idea of treating one’s husband with respect, admiration, and support—and, in many cases, accepting him as he is without attempting to change him.

Let’s delve into notable books offering such advice and analyze the lessons they impart, both from a historical and modern perspective.

Books Offering Advice on Treating Husbands

“The American Woman’s Home” by Catharine E. Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe (1869)

• Focus: Stresses the moral and practical duties of a wife, including showing respect, maintaining a well-ordered household, and providing emotional support for her husband.
• Message: The wife is portrayed as the emotional and organizational center of the home, tasked with fostering peace and stability.

“Household Management” by Mrs. Isabella Beeton (1861)

• Focus: Provides advice on running a household efficiently while maintaining the husband’s respect through organization, calmness, and nurturing.
• Message: Encourages wives to set the tone for a peaceful home, demonstrating that a husband’s comfort begins with a well-managed household.

“The Art of Homemaking” by Daryl V. Hoole (1962)

• Focus: Advocates for managing the home in a way that fosters family happiness, including showing appreciation and respect for the husband as the head of the household.
• Message: Encourages creating an environment that reinforces the husband’s leadership role while ensuring domestic tranquility.

“The Modern Housewife’s Book” by Anne Scott-James (1967)

• Focus: Offers tips on balancing household responsibilities with creating an inviting atmosphere for the husband.
• Message: A harmonious and pleasant home life is framed as central to a wife’s role.

“The Good Housekeeping Cook Book” by Good Housekeeping Institute (1942)

• Focus: Suggests that preparing meals is an essential way to care for and nurture one’s husband, intertwining domestic work with expressions of love.
• Message: Domestic tasks, particularly cooking, are emphasized as key to fostering marital harmony.

“The Good Wife’s Guide” (allegedly from Housekeeping Monthly, 1955)

• Focus: Offers famous (if debated) advice such as greeting the husband warmly, avoiding burdening him with personal troubles, and ensuring the home is clean and dinner ready.
• Message: Advocates for prioritizing the husband’s comfort and peace, reflecting the traditional gender norms of the era.

“The Settlement Cook Book” by Mrs. Simon Kander (1901)

• Focus: Highlights the importance of meal preparation as a way to nurture and care for the husband and family.
• Message: Domestic duties are portrayed as acts of love and devotion.

“The Complete Book of Home Management” by Eileen Aldridge (1965)

• Focus: Encourages wives to keep the home organized and create a supportive environment to maintain the husband’s happiness.
• Message: Household management is tied to creating emotional and physical comfort for the husband.

“The I Hate to Cook Book” by Peg Bracken (1960)

• Focus: Though humorous in tone, it acknowledges societal expectations for wives to satisfy their husbands through home-cooked meals and domestic skills.
• Message: Addresses the balancing act of meeting societal expectations with humor and practicality.

“The Housewife’s Handbook” by Rachel Simhon (1966)

• Focus: Emphasizes being a considerate and accommodating wife, promoting partnership and understanding.
• Message: Advocates for thoughtfulness and attentiveness to foster a strong marital bond.

Books Emphasizing Acceptance of Husbands

“The Good Wife’s Guide” (1955)

• Notable Advice: Recommends that wives avoid complaining if their husbands come home late or go out without them, instead prioritizing understanding and providing a relaxing environment.
• Message: Encourages wives to accept their husbands’ behavior without criticism, aligning with the era’s belief in maintaining harmony by accommodating the husband’s needs.

“The Wives’ Book: For the Wife Who’s Best at Everything” by Alison Maloney

• Notable Advice: Includes “Ten Commandments for Wives,” such as not bothering husbands with petty troubles and focusing on boosting their ego.
• Message: Acceptance is framed as a pathway to a happy marriage, with the wife’s role centered on emotional support.

“Fascinating Womanhood” by Helen B. Andelin (1963)

• Notable Advice: Encourages wives to accept their husbands’ faults while focusing on their virtues, arguing that acceptance leads to a happier relationship.
• Message: Promotes the idea that unconditional acceptance strengthens the bond between husband and wife.

Key Themes in Their Recommendations

1. Creating a Peaceful Environment

• These books emphasize that a harmonious home life is essential for a successful marriage, often placing responsibility on the wife to create this environment.

1. Respect and Admiration

• Wives are encouraged to show respect for their husbands’ roles and achievements, fostering a sense of admiration and support.

1. Catering to Emotional Needs

• These guides recommend listening to the husband’s concerns and providing emotional reassurance without overwhelming him with personal issues.

1. Attention to Physical Comfort

• Maintaining a tidy home, preparing meals, and ensuring the husband’s comfort are seen as acts of care and devotion.

1. Acceptance Without Criticism

• Many guides stress the importance of accepting a husband’s flaws and refraining from trying to change him, reinforcing the belief that understanding and support foster marital harmony.

A Modern Lens on Vintage Advice

While these books provide insight into historical marital expectations, they reflect a time when gender roles were rigidly defined. Today, many of their recommendations may seem outdated, especially in the context of gender equality and shared responsibilities in relationships.

However, some elements—like fostering respect, showing appreciation, and creating a peaceful environment—remain valuable. The idea of accepting one’s partner, for example, can be reframed in modern terms as embracing imperfection and focusing on mutual growth.

Conclusion: Lessons from the Past

Vintage homemaking guides offer a fascinating glimpse into the ideals and expectations of their time. While much of their advice reflects outdated norms, the underlying themes of respect, acceptance, and thoughtfulness can still inspire meaningful practices in relationships today. The key is to adapt these lessons to modern values, ensuring they promote equality, authenticity, and mutual support in partnerships.