In my humble opinion, after reading this, times have definitely changed for the better - the guys may not agree!

http://uk.download.yahoo.com/pr/fu/oa/goodhousekeeping.jpg

I am a bad, bad, bad wife.

I only speak for myself here, mind you (and I have total respect for the choices women make or the ones they were once assigned), but I couldn't imagine having such a wife . Honestly, I was probably the only 5-year old kid, male at that, who actually felt sorry for poor June Cleaver. Not because she seemed miserable or anything - she just seemed to be in such a thankless position. Truth is she was absolutely necessary and the glue of that TV screen family. The problem I saw is that no one ever let her know that.
In my humble opinion, times have changed for the better. For both women AND men.

I feel like my relationship with my husband is a relationship between two intelligent, caring people. I feel we're equals in that partnership, with regard to housework, child-raising and the way we approach each other. I like it that way, and I think he does too. What would my husband, man that he is, ever do with a subservient wife? We challenge each other. I think he'd be bored out of his mind if it were any other way.

From a mental stimulation point of view i think i would have gone totally nuts in those days and i couldn't really imagine George wanting me to agree with everything he said (not all the time anyway)

I typically agree with much of what my husband says because we are well-matched, and therefore are of like minds on a lot of issues. But never questioning him? Oh, and the bit about his topics of conversation being more important than mine? um... no.

Although I tend to get all sentimental about bygone cultures, June and her pearls are one institution I bid 'good riddance' to - perhaps with a cold beer in one uplifted hand and a stupid grin on my emancipated face.
The flip side of the coin is this: While I've always had a reputation for being my own person, I have always gone far to make someone I love feel wanted and appreciated, and they me. That's just the way love goes, and there's never been any recognisable 'political correctness' about any relationship I've ever had. I wouldn't be attracted to them in the first place if they weren't wise, discerning and sensitive to begin with. Making a good choice in the beginning can save a lot of heartache later on. Even if social trends change from decade to decade [ and they do] - if you're lucky, your partner has the ability to tell pop silliness from values that are timeless, and that never change. For me, that constitutes the perfect relationship between partners.

Just another reminder that the 'good old days' weren't really all that good for everybody.