How Do You Measure Up Against the 1930s Wife Assessment?

At home insemination

When reflecting on the dynamics of a marriage or long-term partnership, many might ponder: Are we truly content? Is our relationship thriving? Are we nurturing each other’s needs while also attending to our own? However, rather than engaging in these constructive inquiries, one might be tempted to evaluate themselves and their partner according to absurd, outdated, and frankly sexist benchmarks—such as whether a partner can play an instrument or indulges in a monthly beauty ritual involving charcoal masks.

Enter the 1939 Marital Rating Scale, devised by Dr. George W. Crane, a relic that stands as a testament to an era of laughable expectations. Each point in this scale can be earned for merits and deducted for demerits. Let’s dive into some of the more ludicrous items on this list.

Demerits

Yes, demerits—because, evidently, women of the 1930s were treated like misbehaving schoolchildren.

1. She dislikes children. While some mothers may publicly profess their unwavering love for their kids, let’s be real—there are days when even the most devoted moms might prefer a little distance. Love is unconditional, but liking is sometimes another story.
2. She neglects to sew on buttons or repair socks. Apparently, “darn” means to mend, a term we rarely use outside of trying to keep our language clean around kids. And no, mending socks isn’t on our to-do list.
3. She opts for red nail polish. Yes, please! Especially when it’s applied during a leisurely manicure while her partner juggles the children.
4. She is frequently tardy. Always! Kids and partners have a knack for making punctuality a distant dream.
5. She wears dirty and tattered clothing. With kids in the house, it’s a given that our outfits will bear the marks of their antics – whether it’s snot, spit-up, or worse.

Merits

Modern mothers might not fare much better in these categories, but let’s see:

1. She is an accommodating hostess. Unless it’s the delivery person dropping off our online shopping, we might not be answering the door anytime soon.
2. She allows her spouse to sleep in on weekends. Cue the eye roll.
3. She keeps a spotless home. Cleaning with kids is likened to brushing your teeth while eating Oreos—it’s a losing battle.
4. She serves meals punctually. Hilarious! Unless “punctually” means when chaos allows.
5. She dresses for breakfast. If by “dresses” you mean pajamas that were worn yesterday, then yes, count us in.

This article originally appeared on December 20, 2016. For more engaging content about parenting and family life, check out our other post on home insemination kits at Make a Mom. Additionally, for resources about postpartum planning, visit Intracervical Insemination, an authority in the field. For further insights into pregnancy week by week, the March of Dimes is an excellent resource.

In summary, the 1930s Marital Rating Scale is a humorous relic that starkly contrasts modern views on partnership and parenting, highlighting the absurdity of viewing relationships through such outdated lenses.