Where do you think portraits of desperate housewives emerge from? Why did numerous rural mothers in the 1940’s to 60’s trial domesticate themselves at home? Just because of anxiety or depression. The Feminine Mystique is the standard answer. The response to monotony and insignificance.
How it all started?
Interviews prove that 35 out of 100 women classified themselves as housewives. These females were identified as victims of anxiety and suffering.
However, they appreciated their contribution as homemakers or mothers. But, they were often seen as unhappy. Because their husbands and their respective communities looked up to them poorly.
Introducing the afflicted
One woman, Eileen Bailey, experienced agony after learning about her husband’s multiple extramarital affairs. She came to know about this shortly after their marriage in 1943. Despite this, she stood by for twenty-five years.
“It was terrible that could not trust him,” she quoted. “I believe it happened a lot at the tennis club. And I realized that the latter knew and were conversing about it. And that does not make you feel valued.
”Finally, after registering for a divorce, Bailey said, she felt much at ease. This act proved to Bailey a very important fact. He came to know that the irritat was caused by the situation at hand. Instead, it was not the full-time domestic commitments that concerned her.
“I assume I may have motherly instincts, she added.” Your children need you in all spheres of life. A lot of people prioritize work when their children join school but I believe children need you just as much as they did previously.”
The aftermath of drugs
Suitable representations reveal tranquilizers and alternative psychological drugs as a means of aiding women in extreme situations. A few interviewees though responded contrarily.
Ann Coles, husband underwent a personality disorder which made him problematic to reside with. Initially, antidepressants comforted her. They assisted in dealing with her situation more positively.
Once the situation settled, she took her children and left him. Coles mentioned how some of her issues arose with birthing five babies. Within seven years and with no control over her pregnancy. But she expressed her contentment over being a mother. Though Coles just wanted her favorable conditions.
Coles believed that there was no acknowledgment for such an experience. One only had to continue with it. That was in fact what needed to be done with any particular situation.
What can be concluded from this analysis?
Undeniably, medical experts over-recommended psychiatric drugs. During the decades of 1950’s and ’60s. However, multiple women were and still are furious at spending their lives within their families and homes only.
Haggett’s study states that there should be a clear differentiation. The grief of being a housewife and the grief originating from certain problems. Both must be differentiated. Troubles in how husbands and societies largely look up to housewives.
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