It's Not You, It's Me: How World War II's ‘Dear John’ Letters Changed American Society

Canada News News

It's Not You, It's Me: How World War II's ‘Dear John’ Letters Changed American Society
Canada Latest News,Canada Headlines
  • 📰 TIME
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 41 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 20%
  • Publisher: 53%

Amid World War II's gendered division of labor, it fell to women not only to wait but to write

s a synonym for a break-up note sent by a woman to a man in uniform, the Dear John letter made its debut in a major national newspaper in October 1943. Milton Bracker, a seasoned correspondent“Separation,” Bracker observed, was the “one most dominant war factor in the lives of most people these days.” Regrettably, however, absence wasn’t making all hearts grow fonder.

War correspondents who brought these letters to civilians’ attention were keen to preach a particular sermon about mail and morale, love and loyalty. Hyperbole was the order of the day. “It is doubtful if the Nazis will ever hurt them as much,” Whitman opined, referring to the emotional wounds inflicted by women who sent soldiers “Dear John” letters. This was quite a claim under the circumstances.

A poster featuring a woman as she kisses an American airman accompanied by the text 'Don't Just Kiss 'em Goodbye; Work to bring 'em back,' circa early- to mid-1940s.For their part, many soldiers endowed mail with magical properties. Facing the prospect of life-altering injury or death, men readily sacralized objects they believed might serve as amulets against harm.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

TIME /  🏆 93. in UK

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Wayne’s World at 30: the rare Saturday Night Live movie that couldWayne’s World at 30: the rare Saturday Night Live movie that couldMike Myers and Dana Carvey transplanted their cable access characters to the big screen in a comedy that reminds us of the very best parts of living in 1992
Read more »

Dogs in the office could turn out to be about as much fun as snakes on a planeDogs in the office could turn out to be about as much fun as snakes on a plane'What happens if you allow dogs into your office and you end up with a colleague’s flatulent labrador underneath your desk?' | Writes sophiamcoutts
Read more »

Dancing On Ice eliminates its fourth contestantDancing On Ice eliminates its fourth contestant'Both performances were great... it's so close.'
Read more »

'Why side with Russia?': David Lammy grills Stop the War Coalition co-founder on Ukraine'Why side with Russia?': David Lammy grills Stop the War Coalition co-founder on Ukraine'It just results in more dead people!' Stop the War Coalition co-founder John Rees argues against the West's intervention in Ukraine, citing the 'utter failure' in Afghanistan, 'terrible mess' in Iraq, and 'disaster' in Libya. DavidLammy | STWuk
Read more »

‘It’s very commercialised’: the rise of the anti-Valentine’s Day movement‘It’s very commercialised’: the rise of the anti-Valentine’s Day movementFrom cards reading ‘Meh’ to a ball celebrating ‘hate, venom and gore’, some Britons refuse to buy in to mainstream celebrations
Read more »



Render Time: 2025-03-15 13:09:01