That kind of life was all very well if the husband was a caring, kind, loving man...I'm sure those roles could work well in my household because of the type of man my husband is. (although our life is not like that in any way)
However, the 50's housewife had no income of her own and no opportunity to escape from a bullying, abusive, mean and unkind husband. Once a woman was married, she was basically trapped and at the mercy of the husband. I know from my family history, that life for a woman was pretty awful. Toil all day long and non of the modern conveniences of today; then the husband was down at the pub all night, not involved with the family and returned drunk and leery.
My God, I am so glad to be born today, although in many ways women(with small children and a job) are working harder and harder, as the majority of child care, house and organisation is left to them alone.