81d-Emily’s Married Life 1950: Confessional Magazines and Advice Columns

Introduction

During the first year of her marriage Emily had a recurring impression that something upsetting happened from time-to-time that effected Blanche, her Mother-in-Law, very badly.  Sometimes when Al, Emily’s Father-in-Law, was away on a business trip or working late in the evening Blanche called Emily.  These phone calls were much too long for Emily to stay focused on.  There were other things about the way Blanche behaved that raised a vague feeling of concern even though nothing appeared wrong when Emily and Frank went to visit on Sundays. When the entire family came to visit on Sundays or during an informal get-together after dinner on a weekday, Blanche was at her best. 

Emily was reluctant to take these vague feelings and concerns to her own parents since there was nothing concrete that had happened and she didn’t want to upset them.  Rather than confide in her cousins or co-workers Emily thought that she should develop her own way to best handle the long phone calls from Blanche and manage her own responses to them.  She was a married woman now and determined to handle the situation.  To get some ideas on how other young brides coped with concerns about in-laws Emily subscribed to confessional magazines like True Story.  She hoped to get some ideas from the stories, advice columns and letters from the readers.  Emily also hoped to learn about other typical challenges that came with the adjustments young adults had to make during the first year or two of marriage.

Relationship Notes

Emily L. Serrapede was the daughter of Josie and Sam Serrapede.  She married Frank J. Terry* on May 6, 1950.  After marriage Emily continued to work as a secretary at a law firm in Brooklyn

Frank J. Terry* was the son of Blanche and Al Terry.  He worked at a leather importing firm in Manhattan where his father was also an employee.  Frank enjoyed oil painting using paint-by-number kits.  Like Emily he also enjoyed reading.  His favorite magazines were Science Digest, Life and National Geographic.

Blanche and Al Terry* were Frank’s parents.  They were married at Brooklyn Boro Hall in 1926.

Alfred, Robert, and Maureen were Frank’s younger siblings.

*See Note about surname before Resources section.

Family Story:  Handling an in-law problem with tact

During the winter months, the neighborhood where Frank and Emily lived near Shore Road was very, very quiet. This atmosphere was conducive to reflection. When she had some time to herself Emily wondered why she got so irritated with Blanche, her mother-in-law, whenever she called on a weeknight when Al was working late or away on a business trip.  Emily always felt bad for cutting the call short but thought she was justified after a long day at work.  She wanted some quiet time to rest and get her thoughts settled.  During the course of the phone call it became tiresome reassuring Blanche that her daughter Maureen was sure to meet a marriageable young man one day or that Al’s delay in getting home could have been caused by traffic problems.

81c-Serrapede Family in America 1950-Sunday, June 25, 1950

Introduction

On Sunday, June 25th, 1950 Emily and Frank were 6 weeks and a few days into their life as newlyweds.  It was a hot day, according to the page 1 coverage in the Monday, June 26th edition of The Brooklyn Daily Eagle.  The weather was expected to head up into the high 90s once more as record numbers of people headed to such beaches as Coney Island and the Rockaways. 

On Sunday it was estimated that over 1 million people had gone to Coney Island.  To add to the drama of the heat and crowding on the beaches it was reported that a swimmer was attacked by a shark at the Rockaways. 

Emily and Frank liked to listen to the radio before sitting down to breakfast.  Reading the newspaper was something to do after lunchtime or after dinner.  They believed meal time and conversation went well together.  The news they heard on Monday, June 26th, 1950 caught their attention and ended the honeymoon feeling that filled the weeks after they returned from Bermuda.

Relationship Notes

Emily L. Serrapede was the daughter of Sam and Josie Serrapede.  She was born in 1931 and grew up enjoying very close relationships to her cousins in Brooklyn, NY and Wilmerding Pennsylvania.  After a three year engagement she married, Frank J. Terry* on May 6, 1950.  Frank was the son of Blanche and Al Terry.  He obtained an honorable discharge from the United States Navy in 1947.  Upon his return to civilian life he began in earnest to look for his future wife.  After going steady with Emily for 6 months or so, they became engaged. 

Unlike other couples who were anxious to start a family right after marriage, Frank and Emily had another three year plan in the works.  They each continued to work and save their money for three years so that when their first child was born they would have enough money saved to help them make the adjustment to becoming a one salary household.  After their wedding Emily continued to work as a legal secretary while Frank also continued in his job at a leather importing firm.

*See Note before Resources section.