The lives of young women today are probably less labour-intensive, however, they are hard in other ways. Young women now juggle domestic expectations with career goals and often are still required to complete the tasks of housewives after work.
I think my most interesting discovery was the fact that women from both eras share a common focus: the health, happiness and well being of their families. While today's mothers are often rushed and may purchase take away rather than baking from scratch, their children and husbands remain as important as they were in the 1950s.
My confidence in my own domestic abilities was increased by my surprising success in baking an Apple Pie ( even if the pastry and apples were from a packet). While knitting proved a challenge, I managed to persevere and learn a new skill as a result. While I wouldn't choose to live the life of a housewife, completing these challenges helped me realise that, if I had to, I could probably survive.
Interviewing my Grandma Dot and speaking with her about her life as a young woman was the most rewarding part of my project. Her recollections have enabled me to relate to her on a new level. I now realise many of my own personal struggles are not unique: she went through them just as I am.
I hope I will grow old as my Grandmother has; with wisdom and grace.
Perhaps the secret to life is Epsom Salt.
