How Have Times Changed for Women in the Last 50 Years?
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I have been watching The Long Shadow, the story of the hunt for Peter Sutcliffe. Please don't make this topic about him it's just that it brought back vivid memories of my life 50 years ago, I was 70 today.
In this programme the way female victims, staff etc were treated actually made me feel sick.
As time has passed i had forgotten how women sat in the back of a car when two couples went out, how HE was free to go out whenever he chose while i had to stay home night after night with the kids, how i did the housework AND held down a job, how the little woman was spoken down to and patronised, not given equal opportunities, not allowed access to a joint account when he left her without money and kids to raise. Oh my the list can go on and on.
If those under 40 want to know what it was like watch the drama or those of a similar era, you won't remember but i think you will be surprised. I am not a feminist and sometimes feel men have been emasculated but hopefully the pendulum will swing back down and rest comfortably in the middle one day.
Happy Birthday
I haven't seen the film you refer to but I do agree that things have changed enormously in the last 50 years. I started work 43 years ago straight out of school and married a few years later. Nothing was equal back then, as you say the woman was expected to work and do everything in the home, however we did have a joint bank account for my salary, although my husband (at the time) was paid in cash weekly!
I also agree that men are slowly being emasculated (to make way for feminism?) but I don't think that that should be the case. There is a place for men and a place for women and hopefully in time things will be more equal but we are physiologically different and should play to our strengths. Mr T doesn't expect me to jobs that I really can't do and I don't expect him to do jobs that he isn't good at but together we make a good team.
tumblespots thanks Mrs T it was a lovely day.
My header was not clear, it is a series currently playing on ITV about that notorious serial killer and I was not only disgusted with the treatment of the surviving victims but at the total ineptitude of the police at the time.
Yes, I too don't see why women get so touchy about 'the roles'. I would be happy to cook and clean as long as 'he' did the rubbish, car maintenance, DIY etc
Happy Birthday!
In our house I do the majority of the housework, but he cooks dinner almost every night. Times have changed, but I don't see the problem with the woman staying at home and looking after the kids as long as that is the decision they have made as a couple. I don't get why people get upset over who does what around the house.
MrsCraig yes I agree, I would have loved to be a housewife as I liked cooking, cleaning, making pickles, curtains, cakes and so on. Why some women see it as demeaning puzzles me as being a homemaker is such an important job and children feel more secure. I never minded doing housework but help is always appreciated when you both work.
Lynibis I have never seen it as demeaning. I was a stay at home mum for a bit when my son was young, I think it has helped him to feel safe and secure and to be able to express his thoughts and opinions. Being a homemaker is very important, I know my husband always appreciated coming home to a clean, tidy house and seeing his son happy. Even though I've gone back to work, it is only part time to fit in with my sons nursery hours. My husband still appreciates me doing all the housework, even more so I would say.
Hope you’ve had a lovely birthday.
My mother was treated the same, no joint bank account and just given housekeeping which was never enough. She did cleaning jobs to make ends meet while he always had money for gambling and going to the pub.
Pjran thank you, birthday lovely, last lunch with a friend today!
Yes, I imagine all these things go on still today, especially behind closed doors. But at least that patronising speech in the workplace is far less common. The drama showed so many instances of comments like 'don't you worry your pretty little head about it' as if talking to a child too dim to understand.
I remember when the ripper was on the loose, we lived in Leeds nobody dared to leave the house, big relief when he was caught
martinlufc5637 I bet it was, but it took them long enough......five years. I don't expect the police to work miracles but their ineptitude was astounding.
Lynibis I was only young at the time, it's been one of those things you never forget, my mum was a nurse and worked nights, me and my brothers would worry until she got home, everyone was talking about it and feared him
martinlufc5637 ..I was terrified, only young,was nearly 16 when that monster was caught over the duel carriageway from Notre Dame Catholic School ,Sheffield where my younger brother & sister went...
My Dad worked in the building trade & was working a road or so away at the time..
Now out daughter lives opposite LGI & I'm mapping out how far she is from Roundhay Park & other places in Leeds mentioned!
On one side she has the hospital, the other looks out on to Leeds Central Police Station & Court...
It’s good that things have changed so much in 40 years but we aren’t all the way there yet.
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