This archive report was first published on 12 October 2019.
Author Joan Thatiah stumbled upon an article from 1958 titled '129 ways to get a husband' in an American magazine. The article's advice on how to snag a husband is a far cry from the progressive relationships we strive for today.
Fast forward to the present, and women are still seeking advice on how to find a husband. However, the methods have evolved, with many turning to social media and attending expensive conferences in search of love.
Thatiah recalls a west African pastor who convinced thousands of women to pay thousands of shillings for a prayer retreat, promising that each of them would be married within 90 days. Shortly after, he was flaunting a brand new Ferrari, leaving many to wonder how many of these women found their Mr. Right.
The 1958 article's advice includes suggesting that women take up jobs in medical schools or learn to paint and exhibit their work outside engineering schools. While some of the advice may seem practical, such as not discussing former boyfriends with a new partner or being nice to everyone as they may have an eligible brother or son, other tips are laughable.
For instance, the article suggests that women start a whispering campaign about how sought after they are or practice their drinking with women friends before meeting potential partners. Thatiah argues that some of these tips would be considered classic examples of what not to do in a progressive relationship today.
Thatiah's male friend couldn't understand the problem with a woman showing off her cooking skills, but Thatiah sees it as a different story. 'These are illustrations of women trying to be women, not trying to be men. It's very attractive,' he argued. However, Thatiah believes that domesticity is not the same as trying to feed and mother colleagues.
The article's advice on how to attract a man is also laughable, suggesting that a woman should come outright on a first date and tell him that she likes his money. Thatiah notes that this approach would not fly today, as men are more interested in discussing the economy and corruption than their bank details.
