Well, that’s because, back then, a woman living alone wasn’t easily able to fend for herself. Unless she came from a background of some privilege and a permissive father with some $, she struggled or had to live with other women or be somewhat secretive about her independence. And yet, what I find funny, is if you poll women your grandmother’s age and ask them how they like living alone without their spouse (assuming he has passed on, statistically), most say they love it and never want to live with another man they “have to take care of.” More and more are going solo in their golden years, refusing to get remarried or cohabitating with another man.