To Mr. Klein, M.D., Your M.D. did nothing for you. There's no way any woman will "put out" for you(no matter how desperate)after having to spend an entire evening speaking to you. Like it or not, all humans need emotional closeness. Your attitude towards females has clearly left you a sad old man.

clara, Stepford , USA

I love being home and taking care of my children and my hubby I'm not the perfect 1950's wife and I'm not sure I ever want to be, but I must say there is a lot more to be said for the way things used to be done as apposed to the way they are done now.

Sophie, Saratoga Springs,NY, USA

The 50's Housewife is a dying breed and I am determined to bring it back to my home...I consider it freedom and very liberating to be home serving my family where I set the rules and mood over serving a "boss" for a paycheck. I work from 6am-10pm.EVERYday, -29 yr old Homemaker,Wife,and Mom to 3

Tera Johns, Burton,

i think theres good and bad things in both times.

i think its to late to go back but it would be an idea to have a balance. wifes can go to work and share chores. but when she becomes a mum thats her work . wife and mother . and her husband should appreciate her for it. tina

tina miles, filey, england

As a child of the 1990's, marriage hasn't really crossed my mind yet (Ok, I'm lying, I've thought about the day plenty but not the institution). However, If and When I find the right man, if these are the things he wants from me (like the dinner on the table thing, although the suspenders might be quite fun!) then their wouldn't be a wedding because I have too much respect for myself. Don't get me wrong, my grandmother was a wonderful woman, and a shining example of a 1950's/60's housewife, she had degrees in psychology, teaching and God knows how many other things yet she was happy to sit at home sewing, cooking etc. That was perfectly fine for her and for anyone else who feels that way and I'm sorry but I have a mind, talents and thoughts of my own and it would never be enough for me. I will never be a woman who is held back by men and I need all of my contemporaries male or female to respect that or our whole relationship structure is just not going to work.

Becky, Studley, UK

Get yourself a fashionable, non-Muslim Asian spouse and you'll think you have returned to the 1950's via time machine. But one piece of advice: On no account take her to UK, or Feminist indoctrination will quickly turn her into the type of woman you left Britain to avoid.

Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Japan

I admit to being a hardy survivor of the 1950s and yes, it was an era of hypocrisy and cant. A man peed scent and a woman was expected to be part Clydesdale, part tart and a third part Florence Nightingale, plus two children. To anyone out there who imagines the fifties were flirty and fun, I can assure you they were unremitting work. The sixties were marginally better and by the seventies I had a good job and didn't have to pretend that God was my partner. By the eighties he had become a compulsive gambler and the whole marriage had turned very sour. By the nineties he had the grace to drop dead, olé, olé, olé! This time I started living all over again. Many lovers, many trips overseas, enough even to give Lonely Planet pause and as I flick back my pony-tail (natural brown) and think about the tummy tuck I've just had and I love my life alone and, having looked over the edge of the abyss, I revel in every moment of it. Marriage is like religion, invented by men to control women.

Venise Alstergren, Melbourne 3142, AUSTRALIA

Although it's less than PC these days to admit it, but I'd rather have a doting significant other than a "modern" woman. I consider myself a modern bachelor in a cosmopolitan city, so modern women are in no short supply. While I enjoy when a woman picks up a dinner tab, having an intellectual conversation with an educated woman, or when a woman is "sexually liberated", I long for a woman who prioritizes her partner's happiness.
This isn't seen much anymore because, I surmise, women who grew up during the liberation era are embarrassed to be domestic at the expense of their happiness/career/goals. I imagine that everyone wants someone who understands that they've had a hard day and will listen to them. It seems that more and more women want men to be the one that listens, understands, makes money, and takes care of domestic issues. I'm not a bad cook, but with my busy career I'd rather have someone who takes care of the domestic issues while i bring home the bacon.

Russell, new york, ny

When I got married in 1961 my Granny gave me one piece of advice, put everything you have into the marriage, and expect nothing in return, if you both do that, you will have a happy marriage. We were married for 45 years before my husband died in 2006. Yes, we had our ups and downs through the years, but I wouldn't have changed him for the world.

Coral Stone, Enger, Germany

You know after reading the article, I'm not convinced the author actually cares about her husband. She treats him in a condescending manner prior to "the game" and even during it, her attitude comes off as though she's mocking him.

It's not often that contempt is written up as love, but it is here. Heaven forbid she actually pay attention to his wants and needs on an ongoing basis.

Zombie, River city,

Being extra nice (with sugar on it) to your other half is an integral part of your marriage and the very reason you got married in the first place unless you're a gold digger.

No wonder the divorce rates are up if people feel ashamed and liken themselves to servants if they dare to pamper their partner.

And anyway, why sneer and giggle at the private lives of your grandmothers and grandfathers, who more often than not stayed married all their lives?

Roswhita, London,

If you went out for a run, why on earth didn't you take the dog with you? You would prefer to have it all your own way and then create a fight about it afterwards. That doesn't sound like a responsible spouse to me.

Colin, London, UK

Agree wholeheartedly with Nick from London (with some minor edits)

"It is precisely because most men nowadays fail to act as proper '1950s' husbands that I - and most of my female friends - refuse to marry.

Why on earth would we want to live with some vile man who makes our lives a misery rather than a pleasure? The funny thing is that these same men then complain that women are not willing to 'commit' to marriage - too right we're not! And you are the reason why!

Women do not need men. I own my own home and vacation where I want and am doing very well, thank you. Sex is readily available and by keeping men at arms length I have a very peaceful home life too. I am the master at work and I expect to be the master at home too.

Why would I want to spoil my present bliss by taking a man who fails to treat me properly?"

Kate, London,

The obvious comment here is that these days, both men and women in many relaionships go out to work, either because they want to, or have to, and so the wife doesn't have any time to do all of these duties even if she wanted to.

I think in that situation that there has to be some equality in who does what in the house, and maybe some give and take as to looking after each other's needs.

I think in a situation where one partner works and the other is at home looking after home and family, there's nothing wrong with being responsible for the home and making it look nice. The biggest problem these days is as I say, both partners working and therefore time is too much of an issue and therefore it's all too easy to collapse into one's sweat pants at the end of the day with a ready meal.

I think makin gan effort for each other is important though, and that on both sides.

Rebecca Short, Birmingham, West Midlands

Today's women need a 1950s wife too...

P Williams, London, UK

that sounds lovely. i wouldnt mid being a wife like that. but i work full time and sometimes my husband gets home before me. if i worked part time id be more than happy to oblige.

EVEE, stoke,

Thankfully, what has changed nowadays is that either the man or the woman has the opportunity to go out to work and be the breadwinner or the one who stays at home (that is if you are fortunate enough not to be one of the many couples whose lifestyles depend on both parties going to work).

If you are in this fortunate position then I see nothing wrong with one person taking responsibility for a smooth and relaxing home environment for the person who has been out (or in) working all day to return to. Marriage is a team, which does not mean that one half gets to skive (regularly) whilst the other one puts in the hard graft. There is nothing demeaning about cooking, cleaning and looking after the other half of the relationship who is out working as hard to earn the money that allows you to live the way you do. What matters is that both parties deserve mutual respect.

svf, bristol,

Can I have both, please!

John Heenan, bath, uk

It is precisely because most women nowadays fail to act as proper '1950s' wives that I - and most of my male friends - refuse to marry.

Why on earth would we want to live with some vile woman who makes our lives a misery rather than a pleasure? The funny thing is that these same women then complain that men are not willing to 'commit' to marriage - too right we're not! And you are the reason why!

Men do not need women. I own homes here and abroad and am doing very well, thank you. Sex is readily available and by keeping ghastly feminists at arms length I have a very peaceful home life too. I am the master at work and I expect to be the master at home too.

Why would I want to spoil my present bliss by taking a woman who fails to treat me properly?

Nick, London,

This column gave us gales of laughter at 6AM central, daylight saving time in Missouri. Thank you,thank you-best laughs we've had in years! Jim & Miriam Butt

Miriam Butt, Columbia , Missouri/USA

Thank goodness things have moved on. Back in the good old days men did not get married they "took on a woman". Women were brought up to be dependent and basically incapable outside their domestic domain. The whole arrangement was degrading for all concerned.
Men had it all their own way did they? Imagine how destructive it was to have to do all the thinking for two. It is not their fault but there are plenty of elderly widows around who cannot do the simplest thing because "hubby used to take care of that" . No wonder "hubby" has gone first

D.L Stephens, York, England

Watching the lives of the fifties wives, my mother and her peers, is the saddest memory of my childhood. They were middle class in terms of their husband's incomes but poor in terms of emotional wealth. Some drank, many took prescribed valium to subdue the depression which doctors blamed on the menstrual cycle or menopause. Their families took them for granted. Their husbands had control and took advantage. If the wife wanted a new dress she had to ask the breadwinner or at least bear the questioning when the checkbook was balanced. I don't remember a single happy marriage and they did not improve once the nest emptied. It is human nature not to value those things, and people, that come too easily. It is better for each spouse to have the ability to stand independently while choosing to stand together.

CJW, McAllen, TX

It might me nice if each partner had a turn at being pampered.
Good on you for taking the first turn, now do you think he'll do the same for you?
God bless the man who can cook and knows what a vacuum is!

L. Fraser, Sebastopol, USA

I think, in this case, it is a wife who has gotten it her "own way": fourteen years of treating her husband with such cheerful and public contempt and yet still being able to count on him to be there for her and the children. This article will do nothing but enrage legions of wives and mothers who really did "dote" on their husbands and nevertheless found themselves abandoned. I hope Ms. Millard will think a little of the single mothers who would love to go to bed every night counting on the fact that there is someone next to them who would be only too willing to bring them their 6am tea with no expectation of even a mumbled "thank you, dear".

Nell, New York, New York

If I was confronted with the 50's wife I would spend the evening wondering what horribly bad news is about to crush me into oblivion.

I'm, happy (most evenings) making dinner. The wife helps out around the house and that's ok. We both play world of warcraft together while watching TV. And neither of us drinks much at all. So Keep the 50's I love the 00's.

Bill, South RIding, USA/VA

When my husband has a horrendous day I great him with a drink (actually, I put it next to his chair in front of the TV as a sign that he can take the night off) and try to do something special for dinner (like call for take out)... and he does similar things for me when I need some care. Mutual pampering is a way to ensure a good marriage; the gesture doesn't have to be extravagant, but showing that you care when your partner needs a little extra support is key.

So the 1950s housewife act can be fun, sometimes, but probably not daily. I'm guessing guys want it about as frequently as we women want them to play the knight in shining armor. Once in a while is great, but more than that it gets stale.

Kathy, Boulder, CO

It is precisely when such old roles are no longer threatening that they become more suitable for light play (as opposed to those heavily into some sort of role-play).

Capt. Billy Whizbang, Riddington, NY

I think most of the comments are pretty cynical Why should marriage or a live in relationship mean women should stop making an effort It might help a lot of people if this sort of caring attitude was adopted. Men would react well and hopefully be equally caring. I look around and see many unhappy marriages with snappish wives and men who must wonder why they said 'yes' Well done Mrs Millard

cherry, london,

I was a fifties wife for 10 years, it worked well-then kids all at school I went back to work but was still expected to do everything as well as a full time job.
I think todays marriages with more give and take are much better.

peggy robinson, Sedbergh, England

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I so remember the good atmosphere; that relaxed evening ending in a mutual cup of ovaltine at around 10pm and bed. (Ovaltine ! - we were only 22 years old!! hahaha)

antony, reading, UK

Guess we can tell who had a bitter divorce among the responses. It's nice to pamper your spouse. We both cook gourmet and otherwise. When one is sick, its bedtime and get waited upon ,dragged to the MD when necessary and other one becomes the trusted advocate to make sure the best health care is always available. After all those years of getting my and the childrens' breakfasts, I turned the tables in retirement and get hers and we enjoy breakfast in bed every morning. When those "getting older" aliments make it tough for her to do some the household chores she wants to do, I do them instead. Sometimes not without disagreement, but I win. What happens in a marriage all depends on what the individuals thought marriage was all about. to begin with and how long they expected it to last. Till death do us...

Jim, Roscoe, USA

How many men can afford a 50s wife? A few investment bankers maybe, but no one else.
The economy has shrunk since then.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

Wonderful! He looks after her - she looks after him. Instead of everyone looking after themselves.

vanda, London, UK

Millard--With apron, cocktail dress and coq au vin, our writer takes her husband back to a time when men had everything their own way

You're kidding me, Rosie? Back in the good old days men were little more than slaves. Before women lost their marbles by deciding to work themselves to a early grave like men, middle class women with disposible income had it pretty good. They shopped until dropping on hubbie's dough following a lunch with the girls.

Back in the day very tough divorce laws meant the wife really owned you lock, stock and barrel. Guys had no choice but to live with their youthful mistakes until (usually prematurely) death did you part from Mrs. Ball & Chain.

Now it's a man's world. Marriage and family is an option rather than a cultural norm. Even in my late 60s should I post a personal ad, with 48 hours my mail box is filled with responses. Who needs perosnal ads? A kind demeanor and dinner is all most guys needs to get women of any age to put out.

MARK KLEIN, M.D., OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

I think Chaucer's Wife of Bath would thoroughly approve of this idea, if only for one evening. So, hopefully, would my wife. But if she says no, I'd still prefer her as she is.

Tim, Auckland, New Zealand

A real-life human one, with a bit of dignity who doesn't wait on hands and knees to look after me, like a family dog.

Emily, Bedfordshire, UK

That sounds nice for a brief change. I don't know that I could live like that all the time. I rather liked the G&T followed by dinner. Being left alone to fall asllep in front of the TV? That's great.

I think that lifestyle is like a seven course dinner; it's fun once in awhile but tedious after that.

Akinyemi Okocha, New York, NY, USA