About a week ago while in a used book store I came across a Vogue etiquette book from 1948. In it, everything a woman should and shouldn't do was listed out very carefully and in great detail. Which got me thinking, what are the things that most women CAN do since 62 years ago? And here they are, the list of things that any modern girl can do that she couldn't in 1948!
Photo Credit: www.MyCarHeaven.com
In 1948 if you were a woman, the only thing you could do to a car was drive it. It wasn't very proper for a woman to get down and dirty and change the oil. Now, it's something that just about every woman in the world should learn. It's quick, it's easy and I think it's kind of fun.
Photo Credit: m_janitz
Once again, a woman's place with a car was behind the wheel, not beside a flat one. Now we all know our way around a jack and tire iron and although most of us don't usually change the tires by ourselves, we have pretty basic knowledge of how it's done if we're ever in a sticky situation.
Photo Credit: cathycracks
This one I find a little funny, in 1948 women were in charge of cleaning the house and cooking dinner, not general maintenance and upkeep. It was seen as a man's chore to change a light bulb. Now, it's a chore to get a man to change a light bulb.
Photo Credit: cheska annelliese.
That's right, we're lucky enough now to be able to ask out whichever guy catches or eye but back then, a woman wouldn't dream of it. Let's take a moment of silence for a time when men had to make the move and we women were free only to be mysterious but flirty.
Photo Credit: Think Courageously
The only sport that was appropriate to be watched by women was prize fighting (which was basically boxing), baseball and football. Women weren't supposed to be interested in the sports; it was just an outing for a woman and her husband or boyfriend. Unless your boyfriend or husband played a sport you didn't really go to many games, since it was something for the enjoyment of men.
Photo Credit: Ingy The Wingy
Playing sports? Unheard of. Very few women played sports such as football, baseball, or basketball. It was your job to root for your husband or boyfriend while they played, it was your job to look pretty. The only sport it seems that woman were encouraged to play was tennis. But only in pairs and only if you were playing with your significant other.
Photo Credit: U.S. Department of State
That's right, women weren't supposed to be the primary bread-winners in the household. They were supposed to stay home and clean, cook dinner, and raise the children. If a woman did have to work it was very clear that her income could not exceed her husband's, as that would take away some of his dignity in his ability to care for his family.
Photo Credit: Ronald_H
In 1948 women were not supposed to purchase a car without their husband by their sides. They were not supposed to pick out a car themselves and they were not supposed to get their hands dirty dealing with a car salesman. Now, we make informed decisions and buy cars and other large ticket items all the time!
Well ladies, hopefully this list has made you appreciate how far we've come in our ability to do things. Take advantage of our new-found modern girl abilities and go ask a boy out at a football game! Any other things that a modern girl should know how to do? Let me know down below!
Top Photo Credit: Vakhrushev Pavel