Dating and marriage advice over the centuries has been dodgy at best.
Take a look at some of the strangest dating and marriage advice given to women throughout history.
These “elegant accomplishments” included avariety of artistic formsincluding music, dancing, andcreating and arranging wax flowers.
It was part of their duty to their spouses to be pleasing to look at.
In 1901, Emma Frances Angell Drake’sWhat a Young Wife Ought to Knowwas published.
In it, she told women of the importance of maintaining one’s appearance after marriage.
Modern dating as we know it had yet to become common practice.
Men and women typically were not allowed to be alone with each other andwere chaperonedthroughout the courtship process.
This made getting to know a prospective suitor a delicate task.
In fact,maintaining a sense of selfis an important part of a balanced relationship.
In theMoralia, ancient Greek and Roman philosopherPlutarchoffered marriage advice.
He told women that, upon marriage, a woman’s life ceases to be her own.
Plutarch also told women that they should adopt their husband’s religion and abandon their own.
“The gods are the first and most important friends,” he said.
For with no god do stealthy and secret rites performed by a woman find any favour."
Prepare yourself for disappointment
Getting married?
You’d better temper your expectations.
This advice comes from none other than George Washington himself.
Love, Washington warned his granddaughter Betseyin a letterwritten in 1794, is a fleeting thing.
“That’s why many brilliant women never marry,” wrote Dr. Adams.
Then again, women weren’t really expected to use their degrees in an actual career.
She wrote some of the earliest feminist texts and is remembered for her advancement of gender equality.
While she may have believed in the equality of the sexes, de Pisan still encouraged ladylike behavior.
“They should speak demurely and sweetly.
They must not be frolicsome, forward, or boisterous in speech, expression, bearing or laughter.
They must not go about with their heads raised like wild deer.”
This attitude was widespread at the time.
Scott Coltrane examined 20th century advice columns in the bookGender and Families.
“Of course she makes herself as good-looking as nature and the style shop permits.
Dix concluded that in this manner, any woman can get the man of her dreams.
