How many of you remember the slogan "You've come a long way, baby"? I still remember hearing the jingle on TV, back when ads for cigarettes were allowed on television. It's for VIrginia Slims cigarettes, and I don't know if it's still being used, but the fact that I still remember it must mean it was an effective slogan.
I was perusing some old magazines over the weekend, and was so amused by the old ads. Women truly have come a long way, even since the 1960's and 70's. The roles of men and women were so inflexible years ago, to suggest that a man would vacuum the house, change a diaper or clean a toilet was unheard of. Print ads reflected the strict male-female roles, and women in the ads had similarities in how they were depicted: wearing a dress, heels, and usually a strand of pearls, even when doing housework. From what I've read about the subject, post World War II America was needing to keep men employed and keep women in the home. Housework and raising a family was a woman's job, and she was expected to get excited about new appliances and look glamorous at the same time. I have plenty of evidence to prove the point. Most of these ads are from the 1950's and 60's:
This woman looks ecstatic about her Tupperware. Notice the pearls....

This poor gal is worried that her toilet isn't clean enough for company. Pearls again:
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