Need some advice? Long before Dr Rosie, the Woman's Day of 1950s-60s called upon the services of agony aunt extraordinary, Dorothy Dix. Here are some of her pearls of wisdom...
Four unhappy teenagers
Dear Dorothy Dix,
We are four girls of 16 who are desperately in love with four boys in their 20s. They're going on a short trip overseas shortly and we want to follow them, but our parents won't let us. Please tell us what we should do. We'll be so unhappy without them.
— Desperate Four
Answer: Brace yourself for some unhappiness. It won't be pleasant, but perhaps it will be character forming and, anyway, it will pass as soon as you meet four more attractive boys.
— Dorothy Dix
Has he been "matchmade"?
Dear Dorothy Dix,
Four months ago I began going out with a man who has now proposed to me. He's 39 and I'm 32. I'm in love with him, but I am not sure whether he really loves me or is just being pushed by the friend who introduced us. Before I met him, this friend often told me what a good husband he'd make and what a shame it was he hadn't married. She said she was determined to "get him married off one of these days." How can I find out for sure if he loves me?
— Uncertain
Answer: Nobody can "push" a man into proposing to a woman he doesn't care for. So-called matchmakers sometimes imagine they can succeed in "pushing" but in the final analysis all they really accomplish is the introduction. Whether and how a romance develops depends entirely on the two people directly concerned. However, you shouldn't marry the man while you have doubts about his love for you, so tell him you must have more time before you can give him an answer. You haven't known him for long — and building up trust takes time.
— Dorothy Dix
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