Did you know that back in the 1920s, a doctor named William Josephus Robinson had some pretty unusual ideas about relationships? In his 1922 book “Happiness and Marriage,” he compared overly affectionate women to vampires! He believed that while being distant wasn’t great, being too affectionate could actually harm a husband’s health. He even called such a wife a “great danger,” suggesting she could drain her partner’s energy, much like a vampire.
Robinson thought that some women might use this “sexual vampirism” to their advantage, especially if a younger woman married an older man for financial reasons. He claimed that women aged 30 to 50 were particularly susceptible to this behavior, but no woman was entirely safe from it. His advice to women was to avoid becoming a “sexual vampire.”
Hi, I’m Erin McCarthy, and today we’re diving into some old-fashioned advice about love, marriage, and in-laws. Some of this advice still holds up today, but a lot of it is quite outdated. Let’s explore!
In the Regency era, often called “Bridgerton times,” marriage was a lifelong commitment. Hester Chapone, in 1773, emphasized that your happiness depended largely on the companion you chose for life. So, how did people find their perfect match back then?
According to “The Polite Lady,” a series of letters from a mother to her daughter, the first step was to avoid dressing in a way that might be seen as unfeminine. The advice was to find a partner with similar traits, from personality to social status.
Author Mary Wollstonecraft warned against pursuing romantic relationships with platonic friends, as these often led to disappointment. Similarly, William Kenrick advised against marrying a philosopher, as they might be too absorbed in their thoughts to focus on family duties.
During courtship, it was advised to be wary of overly dramatic suitors. Edward Potalaski, in his 1942 book “Sex Today and Wedded Life,” suggested that women should listen to their husbands and support them, especially after a long day at work.
When it came to cooking, Dr. Robinson noted that poor cooking could lead to unhappiness in a marriage. He suggested that women should strive to be good cooks to maintain harmony at home.
If infidelity occurred, Robinson advised that forgiveness was key, as a husband’s love could remain strong despite mistakes. As for in-laws, it was suggested that men should work to build a good relationship with their future mother-in-law. Popular advice emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in the household and being considerate of each other’s feelings.
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Engage in a class debate about the relevance of old-timey relationship advice in today’s world. Divide into two groups: one supporting the idea that some advice is still applicable, and the other arguing that it is outdated. Use examples from the article to support your arguments.
Participate in role-playing activities where you act out different relationship scenarios based on the advice given in the article. Discuss how these scenarios would play out in modern times and what advice would be more suitable today.
Research the historical context of the 1920s and the Regency era to understand why certain relationship advice was given. Create a presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting how societal norms have evolved.
Write a modern advice column that addresses the same relationship issues discussed in the article. Use contemporary language and perspectives to offer advice that resonates with today’s audience.
Engage in a group discussion about the gender roles depicted in the article. Reflect on how these roles have changed over time and what impact they have on current relationship dynamics. Share personal insights and experiences.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Did you know that in the 1920s, one doctor compared women who were very affectionate to vampires? In his 1922 book “Happiness and Marriage,” Dr. William Josephus Robinson provided various advice on how women could keep their husbands happy. He suggested that being overly distant was undesirable, but surprisingly, being excessively affectionate could be even worse. In fact, he described such a wife as a “great danger” to her husband’s health and well-being, likening her to a vampire that drains the life force from her partner.
Robinson noted that some women might intentionally pursue this “sexual vampirism,” particularly in cases where a younger woman marries an older man, using intimacy to gain financial benefits. He claimed that while women aged 30 to 50 were particularly prone to this behavior, no woman was immune to it. The takeaway for women, according to Robinson, was to avoid being a “sexual vampire.”
Hi, I’m Erin McCarthy, and welcome to The List Show! Today, we’re exploring old-fashioned advice about love, marriage, and in-laws. Some of this advice is still relevant, while much of it is outdated. Let’s dive in!
First, let’s set aside the idea of “sexual vampires” and discuss how relationships begin. In the Regency era, often referred to as “Bridgerton times,” the person you married was essentially the person you were committed to for life. Hester Chapone stated in 1773 that your happiness would largely depend on the companion you choose for life.
So, how do you find that perfect match? According to “The Polite Lady,” a series of letters from a mother to her daughter, the first step is to avoid dressing in a way that might be perceived as unfeminine. The advice emphasized finding a partner with similar traits, from disposition to social status.
Author Mary Wollstonecraft warned against pursuing a romantic relationship with a platonic friend, as these often lead to disappointment. Similarly, William Kenrick cautioned against marrying a philosopher, as they might be too absorbed in their thoughts to fulfill family duties.
In the realm of courtship, it was advised to be cautious of overly dramatic suitors. Edward Potalaski, in his 1942 book “Sex Today and Wedded Life,” suggested that women should listen to their husbands and support them, especially after a long day at work.
When it came to cooking, Dr. Robinson noted that poor cooking could lead to unhappiness in a marriage, suggesting that women should strive to be good cooks to maintain harmony at home.
If infidelity occurred, Robinson advised that forgiveness was key, as a husband’s love could still be strong despite mistakes.
Lastly, when it comes to in-laws, it was suggested that men should work to build a good relationship with their future mother-in-law. Popular advice emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in the household and being considerate of each other’s feelings.
Thanks for watching Mental Floss! We release new videos every Wednesday, so don’t forget to subscribe and hit the bell for notifications. See you next time!
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This version removes inappropriate language and maintains a respectful tone throughout the content.
Relationship – The way in which two or more people or groups regard and behave toward each other, often explored in historical contexts or literary narratives. – In Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” the evolving relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy highlights themes of social class and personal growth.
Literature – Written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit, often reflecting historical and cultural contexts. – The literature of the Harlem Renaissance provides profound insights into the African American experience during the early 20th century.
Marriage – A legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship, historically significant in both societal structures and literary plots. – In “Anna Karenina,” Leo Tolstoy examines the complexities of marriage and fidelity in Russian society.
Happiness – A state of well-being and contentment, often a central theme in literature and historical narratives. – The pursuit of happiness is a recurring theme in the works of Enlightenment philosophers.
Courtship – The period during which a couple develop a romantic relationship, often depicted in literature as a precursor to marriage. – Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” portrays a dramatic and tragic courtship that defies family expectations.
Advice – Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action, frequently a motif in literary works and historical accounts. – Polonius’s advice to his son Laertes in “Hamlet” is filled with maxims that reflect the values of the time.
Infidelity – The action or state of being unfaithful to a spouse or partner, a theme often explored in literature and history for its emotional and social implications. – F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” delves into themes of infidelity and the moral decay of the Jazz Age.
Companion – A person or animal with whom one spends a lot of time or with whom one travels, often depicted in literature as a source of support or conflict. – In “Don Quixote,” Sancho Panza serves as a loyal companion to the titular character, providing both comic relief and wisdom.
Warnings – Statements or events that indicate a possible or impending danger, problem, or other unpleasant situation, often used in literature to foreshadow events. – The warnings of the soothsayer in “Julius Caesar” foreshadow the tragic events that unfold.
Vampirism – The practice or belief in vampires, often used in literature to explore themes of immortality, fear, and the human condition. – Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” is a seminal work that explores the theme of vampirism and its implications on Victorian society.
