Things were very different for women in the 1950s, and it seems they had some surprising ideas about what made the perfect man.

It’s safe to say that gender roles have moved on quite a bit since the 1950s. Back then, women largely stayed home and kept house while men went out and earned a living. However, expectations were beginning to change during the decade itself, and some of the qualities girls desired in a husband may come as a big surprise.

Tall

When it came to finding the ideal husband, for women of the 1950s height was key. The perfect suitor had to be tall, with the optimum measurement seemingly being a nice, round 6 feet. Back in 1957 the average woman was 5 feet, 2 inches tall, meaning girls dreamed of having a man tower over them.

Blue-eyed

While many women today may dream of being swept off their feet by a tall, dark and handsome stranger, ladies in the 1950s had different tastes. For them, the ideal man would have had sparkling blue eyes. And according to some studies, there may be scientific evidence to suggest that people are generally more attracted to light eyes than dark ones.

Athletic

Another highly prized attribute for women of the 1950s was athleticism. Being sporty in general was considered a big plus, and it didn’t really matter what a man’s specific preferred activity may be. However, that being said, according to a 1956 Life article basketball, baseball and football were the most popular sports girls had in mind for their future husbands.

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Not domineering

While the perfect housewife was expected to work around her husband’s needs, women didn’t seek out domineering men. With that in mind, ladies would avoid a man who would crack the whip, so to speak. Instead, they wanted a more equal partnership, which was perhaps a sign that gender roles were already changing.

Domesticated

In line with new ideas about the modern man, women wanted to find a husband who was willing to help out around the house. In the 1950s, however, females were expected to take the lion’s share of household chores. As a result, even a little cooperation from the man of the house would probably go a long way.

Has a steady job

When women married 60 years ago, most of them gave up employment in order to fulfill the role of a housewife. With that in mind, many girls dreamed of bagging a husband with a reliable profession. After all, the whole family would rely on the man’s income to survive, so being able to provide for them was considered very important.

Generous

While raising a family on one income may seem like a stretch in this day and age, women didn’t expect men to keep a tight hold of their wallets. In fact, stinginess was considered an very unattractive attribute in a husband. Consequently, the perfect man of the 1950s would have been generous with his cash.

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William Holden

The 1950s are widely considered to be the Golden Age of Hollywood. So it’s little wonder that women took inspiration from the movies when it came to picturing their perfect man. One popular crush of the era was William Holden. Filmmaker Billy Wilder once said of the actor, “He was a genuine star. Every woman was in love with him.”

Independent

For women of the 1950s, a husband who could stand on their own two feet was highly sought after. While she was most likely expected to cook and for him, a girl valued a man with independence. Perhaps if the man of the house could think for himself it was one less thing for the woman to think about.

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23 years of age

In 1956 Life magazine published the findings of a survey it had asked the National Field Service to complete. In it, they asked young females about their desired qualities in a spouse. And when the results came in, it seemed that 23 was deemed the ideal age of a potential suitor.

Not bossy

Men who were bossy were seemingly a big turn off for women 60 years ago. While popular TV shows of the day may have dictated that “Father Knows Best,” women didn’t like being told what to do by their husbands. With that in mind, maybe wives of the 1950s weren’t as subservient as small-screen stereotypes of the time would have us believe.

Values their opinion

While women valued men who were independent, they still wanted to have their say on important household decisions. As a result, girls wanted to marry a man who would value their opinion, or at least consult them before reaching an outcome. That way, married couples could figure things out together.

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Rock Hudson

Another celebrity heartthrob of the era was Rock Hudson, and many women considered him to be perfect husband material. Handsome Hudson starred in a number of popular movies including Giant and All That Heaven Allows. But at the time his dedicated female following were unaware of the fact that he was actually gay.

Handy at repairs

While the home may have been considered a woman’s domain in the 1950s, wives nonetheless wanted their husbands to be of some use around the house. In particular, a man should be good at repairing things. Being adept at making stuff was also considered a plus, with woodworking cited as the respondents’ preferred hobby for their hubbies in the Life poll.

Not possessive

According to the 1956 Life article, “A basic occupation of virtually every woman is choosing a man to marry.” And in what was perhaps a sign of changing gender roles in the ’50s, girls didn’t want their husbands to treat them as if they were simply another possession. With that in mind, controlling men weren’t deemed to be attractive.

Well-read

According to a survey carried out by dating site Elite Singles, reading is considered an attractive attribute. And that’s something women in the ’50s already knew. They desired a partner who was well-read. However, they didn’t want their men to get so lost in a book that they refused to help out.

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Elvis

By the late 1950s Elvis Presley had risen out of poverty to become one of the world’s biggest superstars. What’s more, his iconic good looks made him one of the era’s most enduring sex symbols. With that in mind, it’s little wonder that many women dreamed of becoming Presley’s wife.

Dancing

The perfect date night during the 1950s almost certainly involved dancing. Women of the day loved the pastime, in fact, and they expected their husbands to be willing partners. But according to the Life poll, two-thirds of women were willing to put up with a man with no rhythm. As the article stated, “All she requires is that he try”

Sociable

Indeed, women of the 1950s wanted their husbands to be sociable in general. Men who were unwilling to spend time with friends and family were considered a turn-off. However, conflicting marriage advice from the decade – as quoted by the Daily Mail advised wives to “make the evening his” and never resort to “complaining if he does not take you out.”

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Community-orientated

One of the more unusual attributes outlined in the Life article required men to be involved in civic matters. It was unclear what this meant exactly, but it perhaps suggested that women liked their men to take an interest in politics or helping out in the community. In general, then, it seems that husbands should have been model citizens.

Marlon Brando

Another public figure who women felt would make the ideal husband was Marlon Brando. Thanks in part to his roles in films including Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront and The Wild One, the actor had somewhat of a bad boy image. And it seems the ladies couldn’t resist his rebellious charm.

Modest

Arrogance was considered a major turn-off for women in the ’50s. Instead, they wanted their future husband to have an air of modesty. And it seems that not much has changed in 60 years. Indeed, according to a Facebook post by True Love Dates, many women still find cockiness an unattractive characteristic in men today.

Polite

With that in mind, men with good manners were also appreciated by women of the 1950s. A rude husband was a big no-no. And it seems that dating was the perfect opportunity for males to prove their good etiquette, as it was considered proper for a man to ask his crush out, collect her at her door and ultimately foot the bill.

James Dean

James Dean was yet another celebrity whom women found themselves daydreaming about in the 1950s. During his short-lived career, Dean acquired sex symbol status thanks to his cool demeanor. But, sadly, he wouldn’t see the decade out. He died aged 24 in an automobile accident in 1955.

Jolly

Despite the pressures men had bear in providing for their families in the ’50s, girls still didn’t want their husbands to take life too seriously. Instead, they dreamed of sharing life with a jolly man. And in general, the decade offered people lots of things to smile about. For example, average incomes were on the rise and a new generation of household appliances were making life easier than ever before.

Not controlling

While women were expected to let their husbands take the lead in family business as head of the house, they didn’t want to share their life with tyrants. Consequently, being controlling was cited as a negative attribute by the girls who took part in the Life poll. Instead, wives expected a certain level of freedom.

Honest

It will probably come as no surprise to find that women of the 1950s expected their husbands to be honest. Being truthful is still considered an important component of a successful relationship today, of course. As a result, honesty remains high on the list of attributes people look for in their future spouse.

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JFK

While he wouldn’t become president until 1961, during the 1950s John F. Kennedy made a name for himself as a handsome young senator. And while he was careful to show himself as a devoted family man, he also had a reputation as a womanizer. Nevertheless, ladies loved him, probably on account of his dashing good looks and undeniable charisma.

Fun-loving

In the 1950s women wanted husbands who knew how to have a good time. And while plenty of difficult social issues were being tackled during the era, in general fun was easy to come by. For example, televisions were just beginning to take off and many families entertained themselves by crowding around their favorite shows.

Green-fingered

While women were expected to look after matters in the home, having a man who could attend to the garden was definitely seen as a plus. Back then, one of the fashions was to fill your yard with quirky ornaments. So it may also have been beneficial for a man to have a good taste in gnomes.

Well-educated

The ideal husband should have a good education, according to the women who took part in the Life poll. Being learned was a highly-prized asset, so much so that some females enrolled in college simply to find the perfect man. As a result, some girls jokingly claimed they were “seeking an M.R.S. degree.”

Not jealous

Having a touch of the green-eyed monster wasn’t something that women of the time wanted from their potential husbands. Jealousy was considered an unattractive attribute by the women polled for the Life magazine article. Clearly, they wanted a man who was sure enough in himself not to have feelings of envy.

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Dwight Eisenhower

Another political figure women believed was good husband material in the 1950s was Dwight Eisenhower. The 34th President of the United States took office at the start of 1953 and would remain in power for the rest of the decade. A former Army general, he was responsible for the successful invasions in North Africa and Normandy during World War Two. And as president, he helped to bring peace to Korea.

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Date night

In many ways, dating as we know it today was invented in the 1950s. And women of the day didn’t want the evenings out to stop when they finally found their perfect men. As a result, they hoped their husbands would take them out on the town, if not dancing then at least to dinner or the movies.

Not secretive

In keeping with their desire for an honest man, women of the 1950s didn’t want their husbands to be secretive. They much preferred full disclosure in their marriage, with their man laying it all out on the table. So while she was often left at home, she clearly expected her husband to fill her in with all the significant happenings of his day.

Talkative

Women wanted their husbands to be chatty as well. Being talkative was cited as a plus in the Life poll. In fact, two-thirds of the girls who took part in the survey said that they would prefer a talker to a listener, but they themselves didn’t promise to be a good listener either.

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Richard Nixon

While his reputation may have waned since, back in the ’50s Richard Nixon was considered a catch. Nixon would become president in 1969, but for much of the 1950s, he served under Dwight Eisenhower. And it appears that both men had quite a female following at the time.

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Cheerful

Another asset on women’s checklists was someone with a cheerful disposition. A moody man simply wouldn’t do for many of the ladies quizzed by Life. So while the saying goes “happy wife, happy life,” it seems that a merry husband is just as essential to household harmony.

Intelligent

Future wives of the 1950s hoped for a husband who was clever. So intelligence was seen as a definite plus in a partner. However, the same cannot be said for the men of today. According to research by the Warsaw School of Economics in Poland, males aren’t attracted to bright women, unless they happen to be beautiful as well.

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Perry Como

According to the Life survey respondents, the man who most resembled the ideal husband of the 1950s was Perry Como. However, the entertainer was seemingly far from perfect. An extract from the article read, “Como was chosen in spite of the fact that he does not fit all of the requirements nor all of the personal characteristics girls rate high. He is five feet nine-and-a-half inches tall instead of six feet. His eyes are brown instead of blue and he is not 23. He almost never washes dishes.”

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But if you’re still not convinced that times have changed, take the advice that we use to give to women in the 1950s. Apparently, becoming the perfect housewife back then involved following some bizarre – and often downright shocking – rules. Let’s take a look at some of the most extreme pearls of wisdom from the era.

Have dinner ready

One Home Economics book from the 1950s recommends that wives always have dinner prepared for their husbands. An extract advises, “Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs.”

Embrace exotic new foods (like pizza)

In order to keep mealtimes interesting, housewives of the 1950s were encouraged to experiment with new and exotic recipes. In 2018 a clip by the Homemakers Club of Vancouver resurfaced, showing Mrs. Brady – a housewife of the time – making an Italian dish known as pizza. Her recipe featured cheese and tomato sauce upon a “biscuit” base, without a hint of garlic in sight.

Crying is good for your baby

Babies cry for all kinds of reasons and, sometimes, for no reason at all. Nowadays, moms may try to figure out what’s troubling their offspring. However, in the 1950s, mothers were told to leave wailing infants alone. An extract from an article published in Best Wishes magazine in 1959 reads, “Though he cries, don’t pick your baby up if he is well. A good lusty cry is an excellent exercise.”

Be sexy… But not too sexy

A woman’s sexuality was quite the minefield in the 1950s. It seems that men of the day didn’t want a wife that was too prudish, but nor did they want their women being too lusty in the bedroom. So, in order to play it safe, it seems that ladies were expected to follow their husband’s lead.

Ensure you’re “refreshed” for your husband

While there was plenty of housework for women to be getting on with 60 years ago, it was recommended that housewives got 15 minutes of rest per day. The reason? So that they were “refreshed” for their husbands. The 1950s Home Economics book advised, “Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.”

Be prepared to entertain your man

As well as looking good for their husbands, 1950s housewives were also expected to cheer their men up, if so required. The Home Economics book told readers, “Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.”

The kitchen is your domain

Today, certain internet trolls still like to tell women to “get back in the kitchen.” Back in the 1950s, however, it was simply expected that housewives would take control of all her household’s culinary needs. With that in mind, lots of women would cook three times a day, which must have taken a huge chunk of their time.

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If your child is having problems, it’s all your fault

The 1950s was a boom time for psychology, and the late Sigmund Freud’s ideas began to gain traction in America. One of his theories claimed that each mind is born blank, and a child’s personality is formed in the first five years of their life. Therefore, if a youngster turns bad, it’s because their parents failed to make them good.

The house must be spotless at all times

Keeping a clean house was a must for 1950s housewives. And the home should have been especially orderly when her husband returned from work. The Home Economics book recommended, “Run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too.”

Minimize all noise

As well as ensuring the house was clean for their husbands, women were also expected to keep the place quiet. Wives were told to control their children and switch off noisy appliances like the washing machine and vacuum in anticipation of their husband’s arrival. That way he could enjoy his evening in peace and tranquility.

Don’t discipline your children

Alongside the rise of psychology, approaches to parenting began to change in the 1950s. Harsh discipline fell out of favor for fear it would cause emotional scars. As a result, prominent pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock advised, “Respect children because they’re human beings and they deserve respect, and they’ll grow up to be better people.”

Homemaking is the most important job you’ll ever have

Back in the 1950s being a housewife was the highest position that women were expected to aspire to. In fact, in 1955 marriage counselor Emily Hartshorne Mudd summed up the job description in Reader’s Digest. She said, “To be a successful wife is a career in itself, requiring among other things, the qualities of a diplomat, a businesswoman, a good cook, a trained nurse, a schoolteacher, a politician and a glamour girl.”

Greet him with a smile

Presumably, most housewives of the 1950s spent their days attending to all kinds of chores and tasks. However, they were expected to forget about their daily stresses as soon as their husbands walked through the door. As the Home Economics book told readers, “Be happy to see him… Greet him with a warm smile.”

Your job is to please your husband

It’s shocking today to think that women were expected to attend to their husbands’ every need just 60 years ago. However, 1950s housewives were supposed to serve the man in their life, and what’s more, they had to act like they enjoyed that role. The Home Economics book told ladies to “show sincerity in your desire to please him.”

Look good for your husband, not yourself

During the 1950s women were expected to pay a great deal of attention to their appearance. It was simply a fact of life that ladies should look presentable. However, the goal wasn’t to feel good about themselves, as the 1959 book The Art of Being a Well-Dressed Wife made clear. Putting it bluntly, an extract states, “Remember, it’s your husband for whom you’re dressing.”

Don’t question your husband

Back in the 1950s, men were considered to be the master gender. As such, women were actively discouraged from questioning their husbands’ integrity. His judgment reigned supreme and his actions were not up for debate. Consequently, wives were simply expected to know their place.

Dress with discipline

When it came to 1950s fashion, women were expected to show a lot of restraint. Anne Fogarty told ladies how to approach their style in her 1959 book How to Be a Well-Dressed Wife. In it she reveals that accessories should be kept to a minimum, perfume needed to be tasteful and caring for clothes was simply a must.

Let your husband have the first word

Getting back to the misguided advice of the Home Economics book, wives were told to “let [your husband] talk first.” According to the publication, it didn’t matter if she had lots to tell her husband, or if what she had to say was more important. It was her job to listen to stories about his day before sharing her news with him.

Get yourself ready before you reach for the coffee

For many of us, the day begins with a steaming cup of Joe. However, if we were housewives 60 years ago, we’d have been expected to look presentable before getting our caffeine fix. One advice column from the era states, “Learn how to get up gracefully in the morning… A light application of lipstick gives you confidence for grappling with [the] coffee pot and orange squeezer.”

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Don’t expect to be taken out

After spending much of the day at home, wives of the 1950s could probably do with letting off some steam on an evening outing with their husbands from time to time. However, they shouldn’t expect regular date nights. With that in mind, the Home Economics book states, “Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or other [kinds] of entertainment.”

Speak differently

In order to create a calm, peaceful environment for their husbands, quiet was key. As such, housewives were even advised to consider how they communicated with their husbands. One incredible excerpt of the Home Economics book reads, “Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax [and] unwind.”

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Wash your hair once a week

Today, people seem to wash their hair as often as they see fit. But one magazine article, titled “Beauty Schedule for Busy Young Wives,” from the 1950s appears to recommend that women wash their tresses just once a week, on Thursdays. Alternatively, “If it doesn’t need washing every week, give your scalp a thoroughly relaxing massage.”

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Look pretty at all times, even in your sleep

As we’ve already covered, women were expected to look good in the 1950s. But, it seems that this was actually a 24-hour-a-day job. The Art of Being a Well-Dressed Wife reads, “Think pretty when making your nightwear selections, and please, no safety pins or missing buttons. Fastidiousness is essential when it comes to sleepwear.”

Mix your man a drink

It seems that being a housewife in the 1950s was a juggling act of all kinds of different roles. And believe it or not, that included bartender. In order to keep their husbands happy, the Home Economics book advised wives to have a “cool or warm drink ready” for their man as soon as they walked through the door.

Eat sensibly

With women spending almost all day at home, some were concerned that they wouldn’t be able to resist their food cravings. As a result, one advice column aimed at housewives stated, “She eats a sensible lunch. She knows that ice-box nibblings are bad for complexion, figure [and] morale.”

Think seriously about your morning attire

For women of the 1950s, simply rolling out of bed and pulling on whatever’s near was not an option. As The Art of Being a Well-Dressed Wife explained, “For morning you need a warm, tailored dressing gown, slim in cut and ankle-length. This length is best because short dressing gowns can expose the unattractive sight of a rumpled nightie or pajama bottoms – or bare white legs – protruding underneath.”

Cleaning takes hours

Some evidence suggests that the average housewife in the 1950s spent around three hours every day cleaning for their families. Chores included scrubbing the kitchen, bathroom and living room, sweeping up and doing the laundry. And it was up to the woman of house alone to get those things done.

Make sure your husband is comfortable

For a woman of the 1950s, their husband’s comfort was also seemingly their responsibility. Luckily, the Home Economics book included some handy pointers on how to help your man relax. This included having him “lean back in a comfortable chair,” arranging “his pillow,” or offering “to take off his shoes.”

Strictly no nagging

Men of the 1950s really didn’t want to be badgered by their wives, according to Mrs. Dale Carnegie. Back in the day, she wrote, “Nagging is a devastating emotional disease… If [your husband] should tell you that you are a nag, don’t react by violent denial – that only proves he is right.”

Table manners are important

Women were expected to know how to behave at all times. And this became even more important when it came to eating etiquette and table manners. A guide published in British magazine Woman’s Own in 1950 revealed, “It is bad manners to put your elbows on the table. It is also very bad manners to powder your nose or put on lipstick at the table, and unforgivable to comb your hair at the meal.”

Treat your husband like royalty

According to She-Manners: A Teen Girl’s Book of Etiquette, women could find their way to a man’s heart through pure flattery. Author Robert H. Loeb recommended, “Compliment him on his physical prowess, his mental acumen, his good looks, his virility… Let him think he’s king much of the time. He will love you for it, and, you know, it will make you feel extremely feminine.”

Keep your complaints to yourself

Playing the dutiful wife, it seems, also meant staying quiet. That 1950s Home Economics book told housewives not to greet their husbands with “problems or complaints if he’s late for dinner.” To add insult to injury, the advice piece continued, “Count this as minor compared to what he may have gone through that day.”

Pink panties

Apparently when it came to lingerie, pink was the preferred shade among men in the 1950s. Sexologist Dr. William Robinson wrote at the time, “Every woman should wear the best quality underwear that she can afford. The color should be preferably pink. And lace and ruffles, I am sorry to say, add to the attractiveness of underwear, and are liked by the average man.”

Let your man order for you

In a restaurant scenario, it was considered polite for wives to let their husbands speak for them. A 1950s article called “How to Behave in a Restaurant” helped women navigate this tricky social situation. It read, “The man always does the ordering, never ask the waiter yourself for anything.”

Ensure your husband is warm and cozy

God forbid that a man of the 1950s would feel cold in their own home. In order to prevent this from happening, one “Good Wife’s Guide” article advised women to “light a fire for him to unwind by.” As a result, the piece promised, “Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too.”

The evening is his time

After spending the day apart, you’d think that hardworking couples could easily find a way to unwind together. However, according to that 1950s Home Economics book, all good wives should do their best to “make the evening his.” Furthermore, it advises women to “try to understand his need to come home and relax.”

Be wary of fruity faux pas

Back in the 1950s, it seems that eating food wasn’t as straightforward as it appears to be today. The aforementioned “How to Behave in a Restaurant” article says that some munchables, including celery, can “quite correctly be eaten with the hands.” However, readers were advised to be wary of pears and apples, as “fruit causes some embarrassment.”

Make your home a kind of sanctuary for your husband

When it came to homemaking, that Home Economics book from the 1950s told women to “try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility.” And while this sounds like a perfectly reasonable thing to aspire to, it came with a catch. That’s because the guide added that the home should be a place “where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.” But carries no mention of the wife’s well-being.

Keep a mirror in the kitchen

As we’ve discovered, women were expected to look good at all times, even when attending to dinner. With that in mind, one advice column recommended hanging a mirror in the kitchen, so that a wife could powder her nose and reapply lipstick, even if no one else was home. As one guide points out, a “beauteous bride doesn’t go slack if she is in alone the house.”

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Do all this, but make sure it looks effortless

Adhering to all these rules must have been exhausting for women of the 1950s. However, the final straw was that they were supposed to live up to these expectations looking as if it took no effort at all. For many wives, however, the burden was too heavy to carry. As a result, some even turned to medication, dubbed “mother’s little helper,” to help them get through the day.