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Housewife: Why Women Still Do It All and What to Do Instead
The Rules of Womanhood, the Lies We’re Told, and the Choices We Have
The notion of “housewife” evokes strong reactions. For some, it’s nostalgia for a bygone era, simpler and better times when men were breadwinners and women remained home with the kids. For others, it’s a sexist, oppressive stereotype of women’s work. Either way, housewife is a long outdated concept—or is it?
Lisa Selin Davis, known for her smart, viral, feminist, cultural takes, argues that the “breadwinner vs. homemaker” divide is a myth. She charts examples from prehistoric female hunters to working class housewives in the 1930s, from First Ladies to 21st century stay-at-home moms, on a search for answers to the problems of what is referred to as women’s work and motherhood. Davis discovers that women have been sold a lie about what families should be. Housewife unveils a interdependence, rather than independence, is the American way.
The book is a clarion call for all women—married or single, mothers or childless—and for men, too, to push for liberation. In Housewife , Davis builds a case for systemic, cultural, and personal change, to encourage women to have the power to choose the best path for themselves.
The notion of “housewife” evokes strong reactions. For some, it’s nostalgia for a bygone era, simpler and better times when men were breadwinners and women remained home with the kids. For others, it’s a sexist, oppressive stereotype of women’s work. Either way, housewife is a long outdated concept—or is it?
Lisa Selin Davis, known for her smart, viral, feminist, cultural takes, argues that the “breadwinner vs. homemaker” divide is a myth. She charts examples from prehistoric female hunters to working class housewives in the 1930s, from First Ladies to 21st century stay-at-home moms, on a search for answers to the problems of what is referred to as women’s work and motherhood. Davis discovers that women have been sold a lie about what families should be. Housewife unveils a interdependence, rather than independence, is the American way.
The book is a clarion call for all women—married or single, mothers or childless—and for men, too, to push for liberation. In Housewife , Davis builds a case for systemic, cultural, and personal change, to encourage women to have the power to choose the best path for themselves.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 5, 2024
About the author
Lisa Selin Davis
5 books95 followersI'm thrilled/incredibly nervous about my debut non-fiction book, TOMBOY: The Surprising History and Future of Girls Who Dare to Be Different, out 5/5/20 with Hachette. I've also written a YA novel called LOST STARS and a grown-up novel called BELLY, way back when. I'm written essays and articles for The New York Times, Time, The Wall Street Journal and many other publications. Before that I worked in film and TV, doing props and other art department jobs, including a four-year stint making props for Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues. I live in Brooklyn (but, hey, I moved here before it was cool) with my family. I love doing book clubs, so please reach out if you'd like me to visit virtually or IRL.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 5, 2024
Reading Housewife feels like hanging out with your cool smart best friend. She’s come over with snacks and a bottle of wine and is talking you through the creation of society as women know it. It’s informative without feeling like someone is talking at you. Davis managed to work her way from hunter gatherer women allllll the way to the trad-wife TikTok community in less than 300 pages, a true literary feat. She highlighted the vulnerable situation women can find themselves in when becoming a mother and wife. The fine line they walk when they start making sacrifices for their husbands benefit, helping him to pursue a higher degree or put in more time at the office to further his career. Meanwhile these women typically put off finishing school or climbing the corporate ladder with plans to return when the children are a little older. By then they themselves are older and burned out from motherhood; feeling like it’s too late or realizing that it will be exponentially harder than it would have been before. All the while the goal post for women is constantly moving with the rules and expectations constantly contradicting themselves. Standards are high and every problem solved is quickly replaced by a new one society has just made up.
There was a lot of attention paid to the difference between who gets to be a housewife and who’s forced to be one. For the most part they were not the demure women sitting at home waiting for their husbands that that media has shown you. Historically there have been poor ethnic women leading the charge for better conditions both within their communities and for women as a whole. The attention paid specifically to statistics and inequalities of the black womans experience as the timelines progressed felt as equal and holistic as it could be.
I could go on and on recounting all the shocking facts and statistics I’ve learned from this but I’ll sum it up by saying I’m so happy this book exists. We all know that history has been filtered through a man’s perspective but it was fascinating to have a light shone on how much it still effects our lives and perceptions today. To see what has changed and what has painfully stayed the same. While it broke my heart for all the women who have come before me and for those in these situations now it also made me feel empowered. So much of the mythical housewife image that people aspire to be are fictionalized archetypes of femininity that have been taken out of context in a historical game of telephone. It like everything else these days is a performance but in it real things are lost or sacrificed. Women are so strong and are capable of making real change, especially when we work together and look out for each other. We have come so far but as we have seen play out time and time again cultural changes need to come with structural changes to be effective.
Thank you to NetGalley, Legacy Lit, and Lisa Selin Davis for my advanced e-copy!
There was a lot of attention paid to the difference between who gets to be a housewife and who’s forced to be one. For the most part they were not the demure women sitting at home waiting for their husbands that that media has shown you. Historically there have been poor ethnic women leading the charge for better conditions both within their communities and for women as a whole. The attention paid specifically to statistics and inequalities of the black womans experience as the timelines progressed felt as equal and holistic as it could be.
I could go on and on recounting all the shocking facts and statistics I’ve learned from this but I’ll sum it up by saying I’m so happy this book exists. We all know that history has been filtered through a man’s perspective but it was fascinating to have a light shone on how much it still effects our lives and perceptions today. To see what has changed and what has painfully stayed the same. While it broke my heart for all the women who have come before me and for those in these situations now it also made me feel empowered. So much of the mythical housewife image that people aspire to be are fictionalized archetypes of femininity that have been taken out of context in a historical game of telephone. It like everything else these days is a performance but in it real things are lost or sacrificed. Women are so strong and are capable of making real change, especially when we work together and look out for each other. We have come so far but as we have seen play out time and time again cultural changes need to come with structural changes to be effective.
Thank you to NetGalley, Legacy Lit, and Lisa Selin Davis for my advanced e-copy!
February 25, 2024
I found this book incredibly engaging. It was able to seamlessly blend narratives, facts and historical accounts into one palatable bite.
Thank grand central publishing for this complimentary copy.
Thank grand central publishing for this complimentary copy.
April 26, 2024
Holy research! Lisa Selin Davis thought of literally every topic related to the unpaid work women do and masterfully put it all together into one succinct book. I learned that Paleolithic women shared the burden of hunting equally with men. I got the impression that the government and businesses in America prioritize employing men over employing women. Men are more likely to get raises if they have kids whereas women are less likely to be hired at all. And a lot of women out there don’t work because they can’t afford the childcare. Our culture of independence breeds isolation and we’ve got a bunch of depressed women because of it. The end of the book made me cry when Lisa told me, “You were never meant to do this alone.” Thank you for the gifted copy, Grand Central Pub.
March 7, 2024
When most women think of the term housewife, a very clear picture comes to mind. June Cleaver in the 1950s, managing her home, raising her children, cooking, cleaning, all while wearing her heels and pearls. The term is now extremely outdated, but why does the responsibility of the housewife still fall on the modern woman?
Reader beware: this book is EXTREMELY political. I was surprised how much political talk arose in this audiobook, and I probably wouldn't have picked it up if I had known. I will say that it's done in a respectful way. While I wouldn't say it's pushing a republican or democratic agenda per se, it definitley is pushing the agenda of supporting stay at home parents. I also feel that this book doesn't represent strong marriages where husband and wife take on responsibilities together. There were many stories of wives who had to do it all and were left in the dust by their partners only to find themselves without money and the expectation to raise their children. I didn't hate the book, but I didn't love it either.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this audiobook!
Reader beware: this book is EXTREMELY political. I was surprised how much political talk arose in this audiobook, and I probably wouldn't have picked it up if I had known. I will say that it's done in a respectful way. While I wouldn't say it's pushing a republican or democratic agenda per se, it definitley is pushing the agenda of supporting stay at home parents. I also feel that this book doesn't represent strong marriages where husband and wife take on responsibilities together. There were many stories of wives who had to do it all and were left in the dust by their partners only to find themselves without money and the expectation to raise their children. I didn't hate the book, but I didn't love it either.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this audiobook!
April 28, 2024
This book was so Fair-Play coded; I’m tired of reading about how women just need to “manage expectations for tasks” with their partners or “figure out how to balance motherhood”. 1) Why would you marry (and worse, have kids with) anyone you have to dictate tasks to and, 2) why are men not being asked these same questions? What makes motherhood different from fatherhood (other than societal expectations) that requires this level of reasoning?
While the book appeared well-researched (I enjoyed the Stephanie Coontz references throughout), I could tell I didn’t fully agree with the author’s viewpoint in the snippets of her commentary throughout the book. To be fair, she’s trying to change the conversation around “housewifery”, so we weren’t exactly on the same page to start, but I was able to put aside my thoughts throughout most of the book — until the last chapter. Because what’s her advice for the title of the book? To paraphrase: Women, step up - own your privilege (which I agree), take charge to change what you don’t like (giving Lean In vibes, but okay), and oh, “don’t nag your husband”. 🤢
In the last chapter, she highlights wanting to bring more attention to “women’s issues” like childcare for working moms — but, single parents nonwithstanding, child care is both women’s AND men’s issue. There is nothing inherently “woman” about any child-related issue — in the majority of cases, both a woman and man are involved in the creation of a child, resulting in child care concerning men and women both. IMO, the US is completely backward for not having govt-funded paid family leave — this should’ve happened years ago, & is more than needed now. However, unless this is reframed as it exists to a person issue — not just women — I don’t see enough progress being made.
While the book appeared well-researched (I enjoyed the Stephanie Coontz references throughout), I could tell I didn’t fully agree with the author’s viewpoint in the snippets of her commentary throughout the book. To be fair, she’s trying to change the conversation around “housewifery”, so we weren’t exactly on the same page to start, but I was able to put aside my thoughts throughout most of the book — until the last chapter. Because what’s her advice for the title of the book? To paraphrase: Women, step up - own your privilege (which I agree), take charge to change what you don’t like (giving Lean In vibes, but okay), and oh, “don’t nag your husband”. 🤢
In the last chapter, she highlights wanting to bring more attention to “women’s issues” like childcare for working moms — but, single parents nonwithstanding, child care is both women’s AND men’s issue. There is nothing inherently “woman” about any child-related issue — in the majority of cases, both a woman and man are involved in the creation of a child, resulting in child care concerning men and women both. IMO, the US is completely backward for not having govt-funded paid family leave — this should’ve happened years ago, & is more than needed now. However, unless this is reframed as it exists to a person issue — not just women — I don’t see enough progress being made.
March 7, 2024
A book on the history of the concept of the housewife and the actual lives of "housewives" throughout time. This book was extremely smart and very easy to read, and it was pretty well rounded. I think Davis did a great job at examining a stereotypically white role without acknowledging the role race plays, and she did a great job at covering the newly created concept of the "trad wife" respectfully. I breezed through this audiobook, as the narration was well done and the writing flowed very well. For those who like feminist history, I would highly recommend.
Thank you to Hachette Audio and Netgalley for an audio ARC in exchange for a review.
Thank you to Hachette Audio and Netgalley for an audio ARC in exchange for a review.
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March 10, 2024From my Washington Post review: "Housewives have been stereotyped, suburbanized, lobotomized, medicated, politicized, sexualized, idealized, sentimentalized and sensationalized (see the Real Housewives franchise) — everything but supported by policies and partners that recognize the value of domestic labor, whoever performs it. That Lisa Selin Davis chose “Housewife” as the title of her new book signals an intention to venture onto treacherous ground.
But the title may be the most provocative thing about “Housewife.” If you’re in need of a cathartic read that distills the anger and exhaustion of America’s overburdened mothers and wives, this is not the book for you. Instead, Davis offers a tour — part history, part sociology, part memoir — of the mucky middle where many women find themselves stuck, bogged down by sexist expectations, economic and practical constraints, and competing desires."
Full review here: https://wapo.st/439Ok2S
[Since I reviewed the book for the Post, I'm not going to rate it here.]
But the title may be the most provocative thing about “Housewife.” If you’re in need of a cathartic read that distills the anger and exhaustion of America’s overburdened mothers and wives, this is not the book for you. Instead, Davis offers a tour — part history, part sociology, part memoir — of the mucky middle where many women find themselves stuck, bogged down by sexist expectations, economic and practical constraints, and competing desires."
Full review here: https://wapo.st/439Ok2S
[Since I reviewed the book for the Post, I'm not going to rate it here.]
March 24, 2024
Probably a 2.5
I agreed with some of the ideas and disagreed with others. I just really thought the book was written poorly. I felt like her ideas weren't well developed, thought out, or expressed. I also felt like some things were repetitive. I wouldn't recommend this book. There are many other books on similar topics that are much better.
I will say I am a stay at home mom who is also a feminist. When I picked up this book, I wasn't sure if I'd find anything that I would relate to. I did find a few things I could relate to, but in general, the book mainly talks about the "tradwife" type of stay at home moms/wives. It felt like a big point she expressed was that you can't be a feminist and a stay at home person. That is a highly aggravating POV and a stereotype that I wish was debunked. If that wasn't her point of view, I wouldn't be able to tell because her writing was ineffective and unclear at times. I do get her point that the government should help support families, and I definitely agree with her on that.
I agreed with some of the ideas and disagreed with others. I just really thought the book was written poorly. I felt like her ideas weren't well developed, thought out, or expressed. I also felt like some things were repetitive. I wouldn't recommend this book. There are many other books on similar topics that are much better.
I will say I am a stay at home mom who is also a feminist. When I picked up this book, I wasn't sure if I'd find anything that I would relate to. I did find a few things I could relate to, but in general, the book mainly talks about the "tradwife" type of stay at home moms/wives. It felt like a big point she expressed was that you can't be a feminist and a stay at home person. That is a highly aggravating POV and a stereotype that I wish was debunked. If that wasn't her point of view, I wouldn't be able to tell because her writing was ineffective and unclear at times. I do get her point that the government should help support families, and I definitely agree with her on that.
March 17, 2024
Ugh. Thought it sounded like an interesting premise but it was a series of anecdotes with the eventual solution of universal government-subsidized childcare. Bc public schools are so great? Basically a socialist manifesto!
November 19, 2023
Finally, what I would call a non-polarizing look at the work women do! 5 glowing stars to Housewife! Be it working in the home or out of the home, women are faced with a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' situation. All women are trying their hardest to be happy and make life work for their family and I think Lisa Selin Davis drives this point home. In her beautiful look at women through centuries, Housewife allows readers to understand that with greater freedoms have come greater expectations.
I loved the history explored in the book. I was fascinated learning about prehistoric women being involved in hunting, to finding out that many lobotomies were performed on housewives! Selin Davis details women's history in a bipartisan way that I believe is much needed. Too many feminist books have been polarizing in their approach and have felt like a lot of complaining and passing the buck to someone else to do the work. Although there's no easy way to solve the issues that women face, it is helpful to understand that there is not a one size fits all approach to motherhood. How incredibly validating to all the women who keep our society going whether it's raising the next generation, working outside the home, or something in between.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing, Legacy Lit, and Net Galley for the ARC of this book!
I loved the history explored in the book. I was fascinated learning about prehistoric women being involved in hunting, to finding out that many lobotomies were performed on housewives! Selin Davis details women's history in a bipartisan way that I believe is much needed. Too many feminist books have been polarizing in their approach and have felt like a lot of complaining and passing the buck to someone else to do the work. Although there's no easy way to solve the issues that women face, it is helpful to understand that there is not a one size fits all approach to motherhood. How incredibly validating to all the women who keep our society going whether it's raising the next generation, working outside the home, or something in between.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing, Legacy Lit, and Net Galley for the ARC of this book!
May 14, 2024
I was literally just talking to my husband about how I could find more information about what housewife’s life looked like back in the day when I heard about this book on a podcast and knew I needed to read it. Lisa goes over the different ways women were part of a society from as far back as the prehistoric female hunters but mainly focuses on the 1930-50’s comparison. I feel like this book touched on so many important topics and was fascinated on the chapter about trans women and stay at home dads.
I personally think the added technology overload is pushing me to my tipping point. Just getting the amount of emails and texts I get regarding my children is enough to set my brain on fire and is constantly making me say to myself "you don't need to do it all." But I'm starting to get mad that I even have to constantly remind myself that. Yet another thing to add to my to-do list. Remind self daily that you don't need to respond to these 10 messages but you will need to respond to these 10. Then pat self on the back for not having to do it all. Check.
The most important societal change I have seen is that some companies are starting to offer both parents (if there are 2) 3 months off after the child is born to help share the duties. My brother was offered parental leave after his baby was born and it made all the difference for bonding with the baby and helping get the kids needs met as a team. BUT...As far as paid time and medical coverage after a new baby is born, it would be nice if that was run through the state or government since half of us are SELF EMPLOYED or not employed and we would need to be paid too. I feel like it would take the pressure off the business owner to allow for the time if it didn't have to come out of their pocket.
I guess what I also want to know more about and I’m not sure if it was talked about enough in this book, are the stay at home side hustler stretching ourselves thin? For example, working and mothering leaves you no time for forming a community. And finding a community has probably been the backbone to how this whole operation works if you stay at home. Preschools have a built in community because they are a central location where all the kids hang out. But what about those who are home raising the kids? Maybe it is just that I live in a big city, but I have found it extremely hard to find a community even though I have put myself out there. People are just "too busy" to make time to hang out.
In reading this book, I was also hoping to know a bit more about housewives social lives. How much time did a housewife/home person spend with their friends back in the day? It seems like whenever a mother has free time these days, she feels like she has to fill it with a job or plan a trip or book a summer camp. But what about just basic time to hang out with her friends(kids in tow if they have them)? Why isn't taking care of ourselves first not the most important thing for most of us?
At the end of this book Lisa suggests that we don’t do it alone. I’m an extrovert and have tried many different ways to find a community to be part of my children’s lives, but it has been like pulling teeth. I think that is why churches and sports are so popular, they are weekly with the same people. I am not religious nor sporty and I am having trouble finding this type of group where my children are welcome. Just seeing one friend every other month for dinner isn’t cutting it. Or a book club once a month, it’s something but not enough. Even the grandparents had a hard time committing to one day a week, too much for them as they just retired and want to feel life with no schedule. I will not stop trying and now that my kids are older, I have more options of when I can leave to meet up with others and actually have a deep discussion and for that, I am grateful.
Clearly, this book has given me much room to think about how we got here as a society and ways to think about my life moving forward. Thanks Lisa! Here are some of my favorite parts:
“We should create a society where raising children is valued and valuable because, even if we look through a capitalist lens, we need workers. We need kids to grow up and work and pay into Social Security. We need good citizens, and to create good citizens, we need good parents…”
“…Learn to act more like happily divorced people.”
“When Charlie reads an article about a woman wanting more help around the house or with the kids, it always seems to be that the woman wants things done in a particular way and is furious at the man if he doesn’t comply with her exact desires. And part of it, he thinks, is that Gen X has popularized some idea that we must project-manage our children. That we and they must always be doing something, injecting ourselves every step of the way to make our presence known so our kids know they’re loved. It’s the fallout from intensive mothering- or, as Charlie would call it-intensive parenting- and sets fathers up for failure, too.”
"We need to enact policies that allow women to be housewives yet build a society in which no woman has to be one.”
“Wired for clans, humans are social creatures who were never intended to live alone in these nuclear families.”
I personally think the added technology overload is pushing me to my tipping point. Just getting the amount of emails and texts I get regarding my children is enough to set my brain on fire and is constantly making me say to myself "you don't need to do it all." But I'm starting to get mad that I even have to constantly remind myself that. Yet another thing to add to my to-do list. Remind self daily that you don't need to respond to these 10 messages but you will need to respond to these 10. Then pat self on the back for not having to do it all. Check.
The most important societal change I have seen is that some companies are starting to offer both parents (if there are 2) 3 months off after the child is born to help share the duties. My brother was offered parental leave after his baby was born and it made all the difference for bonding with the baby and helping get the kids needs met as a team. BUT...As far as paid time and medical coverage after a new baby is born, it would be nice if that was run through the state or government since half of us are SELF EMPLOYED or not employed and we would need to be paid too. I feel like it would take the pressure off the business owner to allow for the time if it didn't have to come out of their pocket.
I guess what I also want to know more about and I’m not sure if it was talked about enough in this book, are the stay at home side hustler stretching ourselves thin? For example, working and mothering leaves you no time for forming a community. And finding a community has probably been the backbone to how this whole operation works if you stay at home. Preschools have a built in community because they are a central location where all the kids hang out. But what about those who are home raising the kids? Maybe it is just that I live in a big city, but I have found it extremely hard to find a community even though I have put myself out there. People are just "too busy" to make time to hang out.
In reading this book, I was also hoping to know a bit more about housewives social lives. How much time did a housewife/home person spend with their friends back in the day? It seems like whenever a mother has free time these days, she feels like she has to fill it with a job or plan a trip or book a summer camp. But what about just basic time to hang out with her friends(kids in tow if they have them)? Why isn't taking care of ourselves first not the most important thing for most of us?
At the end of this book Lisa suggests that we don’t do it alone. I’m an extrovert and have tried many different ways to find a community to be part of my children’s lives, but it has been like pulling teeth. I think that is why churches and sports are so popular, they are weekly with the same people. I am not religious nor sporty and I am having trouble finding this type of group where my children are welcome. Just seeing one friend every other month for dinner isn’t cutting it. Or a book club once a month, it’s something but not enough. Even the grandparents had a hard time committing to one day a week, too much for them as they just retired and want to feel life with no schedule. I will not stop trying and now that my kids are older, I have more options of when I can leave to meet up with others and actually have a deep discussion and for that, I am grateful.
Clearly, this book has given me much room to think about how we got here as a society and ways to think about my life moving forward. Thanks Lisa! Here are some of my favorite parts:
“We should create a society where raising children is valued and valuable because, even if we look through a capitalist lens, we need workers. We need kids to grow up and work and pay into Social Security. We need good citizens, and to create good citizens, we need good parents…”
“…Learn to act more like happily divorced people.”
“When Charlie reads an article about a woman wanting more help around the house or with the kids, it always seems to be that the woman wants things done in a particular way and is furious at the man if he doesn’t comply with her exact desires. And part of it, he thinks, is that Gen X has popularized some idea that we must project-manage our children. That we and they must always be doing something, injecting ourselves every step of the way to make our presence known so our kids know they’re loved. It’s the fallout from intensive mothering- or, as Charlie would call it-intensive parenting- and sets fathers up for failure, too.”
"We need to enact policies that allow women to be housewives yet build a society in which no woman has to be one.”
“Wired for clans, humans are social creatures who were never intended to live alone in these nuclear families.”
March 26, 2024
Y’all this book!!!! I had an *excellent* time reading this and learned so, so much. I could not put this one down!
My mother has been a homemaker/housewife for my entire life and I didn’t realize that was strange/wasn’t the norm until I was older. So I was particularly interested in this book for many reasons.
In the first half, this was an excellent look at both the history of the word housewife (and how it has changed over the years) and what it means to be a housewife. Then the second half covered how the role of women has changed and how it should continue to evolve. And y’all. I loved every second of this book!
I was particularly interested in the sections about lobotomies (horrifying) and the role of the First Lady. I found both of those sections absolutely fascinating and will be thinking of those bits often (particularly the lobotomies *gulp*).
Did you know an absolutely STAGGERING percentage of patients who received lobotomies were housewives (and also just women in general). Because I didn’t. And I was absolutely horrified to learn that. I cannot stop thinking about that chapter...
Anyway. Overall, I really enjoyed this and could not recommend it more! The writing is just lovely and this is such an inviting, readable history. Truly one of the best nonfiction books I’ve ever read!
Thank you so much to Legacy Lit & Grand Central Pub for allowing me to read this gem!
My mother has been a homemaker/housewife for my entire life and I didn’t realize that was strange/wasn’t the norm until I was older. So I was particularly interested in this book for many reasons.
In the first half, this was an excellent look at both the history of the word housewife (and how it has changed over the years) and what it means to be a housewife. Then the second half covered how the role of women has changed and how it should continue to evolve. And y’all. I loved every second of this book!
I was particularly interested in the sections about lobotomies (horrifying) and the role of the First Lady. I found both of those sections absolutely fascinating and will be thinking of those bits often (particularly the lobotomies *gulp*).
Did you know an absolutely STAGGERING percentage of patients who received lobotomies were housewives (and also just women in general). Because I didn’t. And I was absolutely horrified to learn that. I cannot stop thinking about that chapter...
Anyway. Overall, I really enjoyed this and could not recommend it more! The writing is just lovely and this is such an inviting, readable history. Truly one of the best nonfiction books I’ve ever read!
Thank you so much to Legacy Lit & Grand Central Pub for allowing me to read this gem!
December 13, 2023
The word housewife can bring to mind so many different ideas to different people.
In this book the author Lisa Selin Davis takes us on a history lesson of the meaning and how people view The Housewive’s of the home and how we have evolved over the years.
In the 60’s a few TV shows depicted women with limitless powers and put them in the domestic sphere. They also bought about a radical shift in American living and lead to a generation of depressed housewives who turned to desperate measure to numb their pain which brings us to a chapter called Medicating The housewife that chapter is a eye opener what women use to go through because they were thought to be mental ill and unhappy.
But then in the 60’s Librium and Valium came on the scenes and bought about housewives that were led toward operations and pills that would allow them to perform womanhood and motherhood the way others thought they were supposed to be. I believe we have come a long way from the 60’s thoughts of what a women’s role is but there is always room to make things better.
This is an interesting book and an eye opener of what women have been through and how society has an impact of the way we think of our selfs. I think it’s important to view our history so we learn from that.
In this book the author Lisa Selin Davis takes us on a history lesson of the meaning and how people view The Housewive’s of the home and how we have evolved over the years.
In the 60’s a few TV shows depicted women with limitless powers and put them in the domestic sphere. They also bought about a radical shift in American living and lead to a generation of depressed housewives who turned to desperate measure to numb their pain which brings us to a chapter called Medicating The housewife that chapter is a eye opener what women use to go through because they were thought to be mental ill and unhappy.
But then in the 60’s Librium and Valium came on the scenes and bought about housewives that were led toward operations and pills that would allow them to perform womanhood and motherhood the way others thought they were supposed to be. I believe we have come a long way from the 60’s thoughts of what a women’s role is but there is always room to make things better.
This is an interesting book and an eye opener of what women have been through and how society has an impact of the way we think of our selfs. I think it’s important to view our history so we learn from that.
March 3, 2024
I loved this audiobook. I listened to it while doing all my errands and housework. It was validating and I found myself saying "I never thought of that." so many time. I never cared that the first lady wasn't paid and now I am educated on it all.
I was recently watching my TikToks in the gym and I ended up getting in the algorithm for women who were trad wives for 20 plus years and are now broke and destitute. I did the opposite. I have always worked and gone to school but here I am with a masters degree and an impressive resume and I am also broke and destitute. Because in Utah you are unlikely to get ahead if you have children/are a woman.
Plus I work a school job so I can be available for the family and pets. I also care for my same age disabled brother.
I work at a school near my home. Anyway, I told the former trad wives that this side of the road isn't any better and I feel guilty about it. But no matter what we do we end up having to deal with all housework and child care. I have it easier than some woman and harder than others but we all end up doing laundry all weekend.
I already recommended this to all of my friends.
I was recently watching my TikToks in the gym and I ended up getting in the algorithm for women who were trad wives for 20 plus years and are now broke and destitute. I did the opposite. I have always worked and gone to school but here I am with a masters degree and an impressive resume and I am also broke and destitute. Because in Utah you are unlikely to get ahead if you have children/are a woman.
Plus I work a school job so I can be available for the family and pets. I also care for my same age disabled brother.
I work at a school near my home. Anyway, I told the former trad wives that this side of the road isn't any better and I feel guilty about it. But no matter what we do we end up having to deal with all housework and child care. I have it easier than some woman and harder than others but we all end up doing laundry all weekend.
I already recommended this to all of my friends.
February 1, 2024
|| HOUSEWIFE : Why Women Do It All And What To Do Instead ||
#gifted @grandcentralpub
✍🏻
HOUSEWIFE was one of my anticipated early 2024 releases. I started reading it and before I knew it I was halfway done and had highlighted something on almost every page. Blending reportage and memoir I found this smart, feminist, very well researched and documented. Lisa Selin Davis goes deep, dissects the history of the archetype of a housewife in the United States throughout time. From paleolithic to pandemic. Examples like the lobotomized housewife of the 1950's and the medicated housewife beginning in the 1960's. And most recently pandemic housewives. The statistics and cases of certain women featured throughout were facinating, angering and saddening to read about. I did appreciated the inclusion of black, queer and trans mothers too. In the second half Lisa Selin Davis explores issues like childcare, valuing housewives/house husbands, gender equality at home and in the workplace and society and governments need to step it up to help support mothers.
This comes out March 5th from @grandcentralpub
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
#gifted @grandcentralpub
✍🏻
HOUSEWIFE was one of my anticipated early 2024 releases. I started reading it and before I knew it I was halfway done and had highlighted something on almost every page. Blending reportage and memoir I found this smart, feminist, very well researched and documented. Lisa Selin Davis goes deep, dissects the history of the archetype of a housewife in the United States throughout time. From paleolithic to pandemic. Examples like the lobotomized housewife of the 1950's and the medicated housewife beginning in the 1960's. And most recently pandemic housewives. The statistics and cases of certain women featured throughout were facinating, angering and saddening to read about. I did appreciated the inclusion of black, queer and trans mothers too. In the second half Lisa Selin Davis explores issues like childcare, valuing housewives/house husbands, gender equality at home and in the workplace and society and governments need to step it up to help support mothers.
This comes out March 5th from @grandcentralpub
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
March 30, 2024
This book covers the social history of the housewife from colonial America to the 20th century. It looks at the common myths and misperceptions about women and what it means to be a woman throughout the ages. The author charts examples from prehistoric female hunters to working-class housewives in the 1930s. It looks at the all-women types, from First Ladies to stay-at-home moms. It also examines the roles of women’s work and motherhood.
The author looks at women's history in a bipartisan way that I believe is much needed. I loved this book, but I particularly love, on both Instagram and in the book, all of these retro ads. This is one of my favorite quotes: "You can't set her free, but you can help her feel less anxious." I was interested in learning all the myths, stereotypes, and misconceptions we have about women as women. She cites many examples of different women in different roles along the way.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast: https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...
The author looks at women's history in a bipartisan way that I believe is much needed. I loved this book, but I particularly love, on both Instagram and in the book, all of these retro ads. This is one of my favorite quotes: "You can't set her free, but you can help her feel less anxious." I was interested in learning all the myths, stereotypes, and misconceptions we have about women as women. She cites many examples of different women in different roles along the way.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast: https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...
March 3, 2024
I learned so much from this book and I am so grateful for it! I have been trying to explain to women who are regretting staying home and things on the other side aren't much better. I have a masters degree and I make a paltry sum. I do what many moms do and work in a school. I am still dependent on my husbands income and therefore still doing all the housework.
Life is rough.
I want everyone to read this.
Life is rough.
I want everyone to read this.
May 10, 2024
This is the most important book I’ve read in ages. All parents should read it. It dispelled some myths I’ve been carrying and gave names to some things I’ve experienced. Deeply researched. Is it a feminist-leaning, rich-white-lady story? A little. But there’s a ton of data and it really put some pieces together around how we got here.
May 12, 2024
Ironically (or unironically) finished this on Mother’s Day. I learned a little but much of the book was info that I had well know before. Still interesting and I’m glad I listened. Appreciated the thoughtful references throughout the book.
November 3, 2023
Eye opening informative a look at what the title Housewife means even in the more liberated times.This book is perfect for book club discussion.#netgalley #housewife
March 5, 2024
Enjoyed it as an audiobook (still getting accustomed to them). It blends social commentary with hard facts and anecdotes beautifully.
March 10, 2024
Ugh this one hit a little too close to home… 🥵
March 20, 2024
Basically, America Ferrera's Barbie monologue in 250 pages.
April 6, 2024
Interesting. Definitely worth the read.
April 12, 2024
Empowering as hell.
May 17, 2024
Wow! Very informative and interesting.
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