Life — April 22, 1909 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "On the Care of Husbands" by Emily Post This page presents advice on managing husbands, illustrated by a cartoon titled "The Runaway" showing a woman being dragged by two cherubs in opposite directions—a visual metaphor for the competing demands on a wife's attention. The article, credited to etiquette authority Emily Post, addresses how wives should handle husbands' moods and needs. It advises women to manage household complaints discreetly, avoid public criticism, and maintain their husband's dignity, while also managing children and domestic staff. The cartoon's caption—"Now, what do I do next?"—captures the satirical point: wives must constantly navigate competing obligations and keep husbands satisfied, reflecting early-20th-century gender expectations where women's primary duty was managing their husband's emotional needs and household comfort.