"Give the Man a Chance," The Ladies' World, 1900.

"Give the Man a Chance," The Ladies' World, 1900.

This article, from the Household Topics section of the May 1900 issue of The Ladies' World, argues that the man of the household should contribute to making the house a happy home, as opposed to only expecting the wife to put on a happy face at all times of the day. This piece points out the one-sided standard that men are allowed to be grumpy, tired, and “cross as two sticks,” but wives are expected to constantly provide calmness, comfort, and gratification for the man's hard work, although they have been busy themselves with the children and the housework. "Give the Man a Chance" portrays the unfair standard for women, along with the heightened awareness of social issues during the 1890s.

Mary Sargent Hopkins

Hopkins, Mary Sargent. "Give the Man a Chance." The Ladies' World May 1990: 18. Print.

The Ladies' World 1990

November 2, 2015

Shannon Ferrara

1890-1990