Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!
"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?" -H.M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927


Life Styles of the 1920's









When alcohol became prohibited because of the 18th Amendment people had bars in their basements. People started to do drugs such as opium, and marijuana. After work some men would go To an illegal bar in basements to get drunk, while the wifes stayed home cleaning.

Many housewives gave up their jobs at home because of their children. Immigrant and poor American-born women had no choice but to work as laundresses, servants, and factory help. Women who worked outside of buildings noticed that it led to prostitution.

The house wife stayed home, knitted, and cleaned the house. The women embroidered their aprons. It is said that the aprons should be attractive for serving meals. Magazines said that women needed to look beautiful at all times for ones husband, and it was a womans job to never neglect her appearance. Other magazines talked about how marriages are ruined because house wifes dress beautiful for visitors, but for their husbands they dressed grubby. In the 1920’s many people cared too much about their looks. It was also a concern to always look beautiful for your husband. Most people practically starved to be thin and try to look beautiful.

Many people also wanted to be thin. An average American ate 75 pounds a year. This was less than the year 1910. People quoted “thin was in”. especially women they bought books on how to be skinny. Diet and Health was one of the best sellers for two and a half years . In the 1920’s many people cared too much about their looks. It was also a concern to always look beautiful for your husband. Most people practically starved to be thin and try to look beautiful. After work some men would go To an illegal bar in basements to get drunk, while the wifes stayed home cleaning. The average life expectancy was from ages 55 to 60.