During the 40s and 50s the use of a car, even in rural areas, was normally reserved for a special trip once a week to run errands and get out of the house, if you were able to afford a car at all. The average family at the time wouldn't dream of wasting money on a second car, let alone the first one, to 'frivolously' get out of the house on a daily basis for pleasure. That money was needed to pay for the house.
It is entirely understandable that expectations have changed. I certainly don't think twice about hopping in my car any day of the week, and own two of them at that. But if expectations have changed, why would we want to even try to to apply 40s and 50s housing logic to modern times?
The house was already affordable without the spouse needing a job, albeit with some possible unpleasantness like not being able to drive around for fun every day of the week. But if the spouse chooses to take a job, affording that house becomes really comfortable. Which only goes to show just how affordable housing really is.
It is entirely understandable that expectations have changed. I certainly don't think twice about hopping in my car any day of the week, and own two of them at that. But if expectations have changed, why would we want to even try to to apply 40s and 50s housing logic to modern times?