STDs And Affairs: What Marriage Was Really Like In The 1900s | Love and Marriage | Absolute History

The institution of marriage faced serious challenges in the 20th century when World War 1 shattered the innocence of an entire generation raised by Victorian ideals of purity. When war came along and men were away for extended periods of time, marriages began to crumble and both men and women looked to find sexual fulfilment outside of their marriages, leading to STD outbreaks and affairs.

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[okay_but_still]

The man who spoiled the child of his wife’s affair is so touching. What a beautiful human he must have been

[corgisrule]

“I don’t know if I can live with you, but I know I can’t live without you” 😭😭😭 That’s so precious!

[westwordsemma]

This is a documentary called Love and Marriage: a 20th century romance. It was made in 2012. Just in case anyone wants to watch the whole thing.

[annasalmans]

I worked in a nursing home in my early 20s as a nurse tech. There was an elderly lady I took care of who had scars on her private areas. The RN in charge later told me that when the lady was in her early twenties she tried to give herself a homemade abortion with a turkey baster and household cleaner. The woman had been married since she was 14yo and already had several children by the time she was 24 and was widowed. She spent her adult life incontinent after the incident. Her unmarried sister helped take care of her and the children until they were grown. She had her sister had taken part in the women's rights movement in the 60s and 70s.
That was the beginning of learning history through the eyes of those who actually lived it, not just from school books. The few years I spent working in that nursing home was when I started finding out that those "good ole days" weren't so good for so many people. Only a very few had romances or simi happy lives like the ones mentioned in here.
No good comes from romanticizing the horrors of the past. If we stay ignorant of it, we (humanity) will never learn from our past mistakes and we will be doomed to repeat them.

[mitchel_]

"darling I have 25 quid will you marry me?...and so she became my fiance" has me in tears

[Nonsequitoria]

It's so refreshing to hear stories about happy marriages, with devoted husbands and wives who didn't feel trapped in the post-war era. People have found each other since the dawn of time, so they must exist.

[marniekilbourne]

I certainly do not blame any woman for not wanting 10-15 children! I have never wanted that many! I am not a baby factory and that takes a huge toll on a woman's body. Plus, all the time and work raising that many kids! Nobody these days could even afford that many children.

[JoGaPeach]

I married my husband he didn’t have to nickels to rub together, I thought, “We’ll, it can only go up from here…” This year we’re celebrating 40 wonderful years of marital bliss!

[dartmart]

My aged parents passed away earlier this year, shortly after their 75th anniversary.

They always looked happy, always smiling at each other, and giving each other little presents. I think I only heard them argue twice during all their time together.

My sister celebrated her 50th earlier this month. Still looking strong and happy.

[barbaraness]

When I got married I was in for a rude awakening because I grew up thinking that couples didn’t argue, or fight. My parents never did any of that, not even in private. They just thought that sort of thing was unnecessary, and “foolishness “.

[baylorsailor]

With the title I didn't realize how emotional this documentary would make me. Deep love and appreciation is the sweetest thing 🥹

[grayfox]

The documentary on this generation in 100 years is going to be wild 😂

[Redcanadianmoose]

I was not expecting such a heartfelt, loving, documentary recapping personal stories from the title. I am so happy I watched though.

[rosered]

"Stupid, but I'd do it again." I can only imagine Dorothy's exasperation with John when he told that story about risking his life fir her photo. But it would also feel so flattering. I know my fiance would do something like that in a heartbeat. I love him, although I do sometimes wonder how he's still alive.

[dl]

“messing about in London” is a great euphemism!

[RyanJones-nxqv]

I was in love the first time I saw my wife we were 14 then we're 24 now and celebrating our first anniversary as a married couple

[oliviablackburn]

I love the lady that said honestly she didn't want all of those kids but brought them up anyways. 😂 Honest as the day is long! But she loved them anyways and did what she had to do. That's a real parent right there.

[michellesmith]

This is one of the best documentaries I've seen in a long time. Being in my thirties..wandering what went wrong in my generation, this was very enlightening & beautiful!! I've never been married but engaged now. I waited til later in life but couldn't be happier!! I just hope our outcome is til death do us part! Thank you for this gem of history!!

[tebec]

This was so touching! I loved all of the couples and their recollections. This is the kind of documentary that ought to be shown in schools and colleges as part of History class.

[anastasia]

7:45. his big smile at the remembrance of proposing to his girl is wonderful