I stumbled upon this article the other day (I wasn’t looking for dachshunds or anything… *coughs*) & discovered the phenomenon of “Time Warp Wives”; Women who have retreated to a time in the past within their own homes. Not women who are a bit obsessed with 50s items or 60s clothes, but women who are actually, for all intents & purposes, living in the past.
My first reaction was “Cool”. But then I thought a bit more about it & realised I would not be able to do it. As much as I adore vintage things & the idea of living an idyllic 50s life (in a gorgeous & perfect looking 50s home); I just don’t have the happy home-maker in me. I do not live purely to pamper my “husband”, I would be mortified at the idea of him bringing home a mink as a birthday gift & I don’t look hot enough in teeny waisted vintage dresses.
Imagine all the modern things you’d miss if you moved into your own piece of history? No new artists, no new music, no internet (although these people seem to get around that). Nothing challenging. It strikes me as living in fear somewhat; living in the certainty of the past & retreating from the reality of today.
Watch the British documentary on “Time Warp Wives” here & come back to tell me what you think!
You've made me click on a Daily Mail link.
ReplyDeleteThe 50s woman (in the article) says "Neither of us drinks." Um, not very authentic 50s lifestyle! She should be meeting her husband at the door with a martini.
40s woman: "Some people might think I am hiding my head in the sand." Yes. Very much so. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in these couples has had some kind of trauma that's made them retreat into the past.
I find it really interesting that the three women in the article are around our age and don't have children. One of them said they decided not to have kids because of today's dangers, but the others remind me of (forgive me) stereotypical show dog breeders who put all the energy other people might invest in kids, into their lifestyle. Not trying to say that not having kids is an invalid choice, or people without kids should be made to feel inferior, or anything like that! I do sound very judgemental though, don't I? In everything I think there's a difference between being passionate about something (including parenting) and being obsessed to the point of delusion.
Will try to find time to watch the doco.
I've spent the last half hour wondering why I'm so het-up about some people living as if it's a different era.
ReplyDeleteWould I object to pople in the 50s living the same way? Of course not.
Do I think the women are subjugating themselves to patriarchal households? No, I respect the rights on consenting adults to run their relationships/ households in ways they find fulfilling.
Why do I think it's important to acknowledge the era you live in, and participate in society according to modern standards? That is a question I'm asking myself.
Gezzz she has got nothing better to do...
ReplyDeleteI am with you - no way I could live that life - ergh...
Okay, I've watched the doco now.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I'd like to point out that my first comment was: "You made me read the Daily Mail." This is a newspaper whose sole aim is to get people het-up about "issues" by misrepresenting facts and playing on their fears. The article was written in a way that made the subjects seem delusional.
The doco, on the other hand, was a warm and sympathetic visit with people who lead different lifestyles. The fifties wife isn't worried about how her husband will feel about her having a career - the two of them are perfectly comfortable talking about him learning how to cook. The 30s woman with her massive wardrobe comes across as a bit of a dress-up enthusiast, especially when she reveals the microwave in the cupboard.
But one of my initial thoughts about them escaping from trauma seems to be relevant. The fifties woman says at the start, as a child she always wanted to have a happy marriage and happy home. She doesn't say what her childhood reality was, but it possibly wasn't that. The young 40s woman acknowledges that her housewife obsession began when her parents divorced. The fifties people (and possibly the 30s woman? I forget) admitted that having children would mean an end to their lifestyle. The fifties friend, who says she couldn't cope with having a child, gave me the idea that she's clinging to a lot more than glamourous hairstyles.
Thanks so much for the links, it's been an enjoyable evening!
fun... for a day perhaps!
ReplyDeleteDitto on the tiny waisted vintage frocks.
ReplyDeletewhy in hell would you want to go back to a time when women had zero rights??When we were virtually domestic slaves- kept by our husbands and spoken down too? No way!!!
ReplyDeletei agree- all for the fashion and homewares but not a lot more after that. Women have come far the past few decades and I wouldn't turn back time on any of that.
ReplyDelete