The League of Extraordinary Housewives

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Archive on 4: The League of Extraordinary Housewives

BBC Radio 4 - Archive on 4, The League of Extraordinary Housewives

A history of the housewife since 1945, which explores her shifting power and politics.

4 Extra Debut. Jo Fidgen brings us a history of the housewife since 1945, exploring her shifting power and politics. From 2016.

Back in 1945, thousands of angry housewives formed a group to fight austerity and a Welfare State that they believed was "not in the interests of a free and happy home life". 

This militant battle is the starting point for an analysis of the housewife; her politics, economics and shifting power down the decades. 

How did the focus on feminism and the working mother, change the way society viewed her? And, has the housewife now embarked on a fight back?

"Having it all" in practice seems to mean being exhausted, on the wrong side of the gender pay gap, and spending most of your income paying someone else to look after your children. 

Jo Fidgen delves into the archive... 

Producer: Rosamund Jones 

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2016.

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