Dated Dating Advice: Relationships Through The Decades (VIDEO)

“Women crave caveman tactics,” writes George W. Crane, PhD, MD, in his 1950s pamphlet "Sex Differences Between Men and Women & Nagging Wives." The pamphlet, recently splashed ascross SF Weekly and Jezebel, shows Crane citing Shakespeare as an unlikely ally in discovering the answer to the age-old question of “what women want:”

The Taming of the Shrew is an excellent case in point. These shrews can be made into loving, devoted mates if they are fed caresses and satisfactory sexual indulgences.

While Crane’s counsel may seem dated, has dating advice gotten any better? Or are women and men still being told to play by similar rules?

We were surprised to find that 1950s parents got it right when it came to dispensing their relationship wisdom, while a lot of latter-day tips seemed like something out of another century.

Journey with us as we explore the sage dating advice dispensed through the decades:

Comments

[Sayyes19]

03:25 AM on 11/26/2011

Girls like experienced males
Males like innocent girls
There are exceptions, but that is what it is generally.

[Ainsaade]

06:14 PM on 10/25/2011

Wow... just wow.

[emw412]

03:04 PM on 10/25/2011

Those videos were all weirdly hilarious!

[pattio66]

05:31 PM on 10/20/2011

After my divorce, I had no idea what to do. I was a 35-year-old woman who hadn't been on a date since high school. After a while, I figured out that Mr. Right wasn't going to show up on my doorstep, but seeking him wasn't working either. So I categorized the men in my life: the ones I went out with, the ones I hung out with, and the ones I stayed in with (wink-wink nudge-nudge.) It took a long time to find someone with whom I could do all three and we've been a couple ever since. Playing the field was fun, having a partner in all aspects of life is better.

[jf12]

06:24 PM on 10/20/2011

After my divorce, I had no idea what to do. I was a 30-year-old man who had never been able to get a date in high school. Instantly, I figured Mrs. Right wasn't going to find herself. So I asked out a lot of women, and went out with a lot of women, but there wasn't a whole lot of overlap: I got turned when when I asked, so many of my dates were blind dates, arranged dates, etc. So I categorized the women in my life. There weren't any. Playing the field wasn't fun.

[HopeWFaith]

02:57 AM on 10/20/2011

WHY? Why must "women's" pages all be plagued with facts or stories about men? Stop with this man focus for goddesses sake! I can't take it any more. When can we move past this and start talking about intelligent things, like science, politics, business, personal health? Come on HUFF POST. Come on.

[isisreptiles]

11:36 AM on 10/20/2011

There are plenty of other forums which deal with those subject matters. If you don't enjoy reading this particular subject matter, then why are you here?

[Terence Manuel]

06:41 PM on 10/20/2011

Change the channel Hope! It is your choice to be here.

[gregmilton]

02:47 AM on 10/20/2011

I think Mr. T should be listened to. But overall, Mrs. Do's and Don'ts...you're dumber than a sack of wet mice. Nothing personal. Just think you could benefit from quite a few more O's!!!!!! You may see things more clearly then.

[greenshibuya]

01:09 AM on 10/22/2011

I pity the fool who does not listen to Mr. T

[becrafty01]

12:41 AM on 10/20/2011

I hope you love your wife! I wish everyone took their marriage vows seriously. They were promises to each other and to God. Read your Bible, The man is to be the head of the household and lead his family. I hope everyone will go see the movie Courageous. Hope I spelled that right.

[MIvoter1231]

03:12 PM on 10/24/2011

I think any man that can't handle a woman CO-leading the family isn't worth a tinker's dam!

[Thaag Tidestalker]

03:35 PM on 10/24/2011

My man led our family to the woman he cheated on me with. Thank Goddess I led the rest of us away from that.

[GorgeousJerk]

12:25 AM on 10/20/2011

Damn, Anne is really going to town on that cotton candy!

[thm4usa]

11:24 PM on 10/19/2011

Dating one used woman after another is so over rated! There are so many beautiful, intelligent, well dressed, well spoken women out there who are NOT obsessed with sex. Give me a gal who can and does want to be my best friend. One that we can share our joys, problems and lives together, love grows and grows in that type of relationship.

[iskra]

05:22 PM on 10/26/2011

Having seen your posts I'm pretty sure that none of the girls in your trailer park are interested.

[1jurisdiva]

11:08 PM on 10/19/2011

The "Women" section has become such a cliche - dating advice, how to keep a man, neuroses, ect. Get with the 21st century or rename the section, " Those Desperately Seeking Self Esteem and Validation" for it certainly doesn't represent the life of most women I know.

[greenToBlue]

09:18 PM on 10/19/2011

I thought "Chick" is acceptable these days. No?

[pattio66]

05:16 PM on 10/20/2011

I've been known to describe myself as both a hippie chick and a raunchy broad...if it offends anyone, well, screw 'em!

[arimoore]

09:24 PM on 10/20/2011

Depends on the lady... but I think most of us like being called "women."

[Libertarian5]

08:54 PM on 10/19/2011

All true, probably. But why are so many women into extreme monogamia, even after the kids are born and hubby does not mind, indeed longs for her to be hot and bothered, including with some great poolboy? It makes no sense. Female monogamia prudishness takes out a lot of fun out of the short lives we have.

[Randybostonterrier]

07:12 AM on 10/20/2011

Really? I don't think sharing your life with someone and never cheating on them is a bad thing. Guess I'm a prude.

[Lucky S7even]

11:26 AM on 10/20/2011

exactly thats why people should avoid marriage and make the most of the hookup culture. why take life so seriously?

[Shaun Hensley]

12:53 PM on 10/20/2011

Not everyone derives pleasure from sticking it into strangers, some people find that unfulfilling.

As long as you 'hookup artists' are upfront about what you are though, more power to you.

[stanlord]

08:31 PM on 10/19/2011

My girlfriend used to smoke.....I use more KY now......

[grundoboy]

11:38 PM on 10/19/2011

is that Kentucky Jelly?

[pattio66]

05:17 PM on 10/20/2011

hiLARious!!!! Thanks for the belly laugh!!!!

[bahkey]

08:18 PM on 10/19/2011

Most good men have a sister or 2 in the family who are older. they help refine their brothers on how to treat a girl on a date. They know what's right and wrong.

[stanlord]

08:28 PM on 10/19/2011

And in West Virginia, they ARE the girl on the date......

[bahkey]

08:54 PM on 10/19/2011

Really?

[TheBluesGuy]

12:55 AM on 11/24/2011

We West Virginians are tired of the inbreeding jokes. I was talking about this yesterday with my brother and uncle, Walter....

[Shaun Hensley]

08:29 PM on 10/19/2011

Why is it women get to define 'what's right and wrong'? Shouldn't both sides come to some sort of agreement?

[Palaver]

07:20 PM on 10/19/2011

'Pretty women are for men devoid of imagination.' -- Marcel Proust

[jf12]

07:50 AM on 10/20/2011

Oh. My. I pause to reflect.