When I first read this excerpt from Edward Podolsky’s Sex Today in Wedded Life, I was disturbed, and quite pleased to be living in the modern times. The wife seems to have a lot more serious things to worry about! Her husband only has to remember her birthday and kiss her in public. But as I […]
Tag: 1940s
Dangers to Marital Happiness
Dear, sweet, soul-searching Julie. This one goes out to you, my friend. It’s time to get off the couch, shed those pajamas, organize your house, and take charge of your happiness. And if it helps for your cute hubbie to take you in his arms and kiss you like the good old days, well by […]
The Husband as Lover
This was originally posted as the wedding of my baby sister approached, with thoughts of love and marriage obviously been on my mind. This excerpt is from the 1940 edition of the ever-informative and open-minded Happiness in Marriage, by none other than the founder of the birth control movement, Margaret Sanger. 1940: The Husband as Lover […]
Brandon and Brittney Sittin’ in a Tree
Q Dear Miss Abigail: Will Brandon Boston and Brittney Chisolm get married and live happily ever after? Signed, Brittney A Dear Brittney: Yes! Oh wait, I changed my mind. No! Ah, shucks, I don’t know. Maybe you can decide for yourself, with a little help from Sex Behavior in Marriage, published by Charles A. Clinton in […]
Love an Instinctive Emotion
If anyone wonders why my catalog list of books isn’t up to date, it’s because I spend time perusing the books as I enter them into my database. Sex Behavior in Marriage by Dr. Charles A. Clinton caught my eye, particularly this excerpt about one of Miss Abigail’s favorite age-old topics ~ love. 1940: Love an […]
How Do I Explain Puberty?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: I want to explain to my daughter what puberty is. Could you help me go about it? Signed, Nancy A Dear Nancy: In our continuing saga of “vague and slightly scary old advice to help teach children about sex and puberty” (see this other question), I bring you a little chat between […]
I Think My Daughter is Having Sex
Q Dear Miss Abigail: My child appears to be having sex. She is only fifteen years old. What shall I do? Signed, Dickie A Dear Dickie: I’ve been just waiting for a chance to use an excerpt from Dr. Edith Hale Swift’s Step by Step in Sex Education, which is written in the form of a […]
Plunging In
With all my books on the subject of love, marriage, and happy ever after, it’s sometimes refreshing to flip through the few in my collection devoted to the fine art of being single, something my friends and I have had a lot of experience with. Here’s a tidbit from one of these books ~ How To […]
A Mysterious Power
This excerpt from Dorothy Fremont Grant’s So! You Want to Get Married! is truly a fine example of the ludicrous nature of these old books that I spend my time sharing with you. Don’t you just love it? And aren’t you glad all these years have passed? 1947: A Mysterious Power Girls early come to the […]
How to Invite Somebody to Bed
This selection is from a gift to the collection from a charming friend of mine who is otherwise known as the “king of the nap.” This fabulous book is titled Bed Manners, and Better Bed Manners. The cover claims that the book will tell you “how to bring sunshine into your nights,” and proclaims to have […]