Life — January 4, 1929 — page 19: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a domestic scene where an older man stands prominently while younger figures sit reading. The caption "Old Fashioned to Attract the Boys" suggests the satire concerns outdated social practices meant to appeal to young men. The scene appears to mock either: (1) an older generation's misguided attempts to seem modern/attractive, or (2) deliberate adoption of old-fashioned behavior as a courtship strategy. The formal dress and interior setting suggest middle or upper-class domestic life. Without additional context from Life magazine's specific issue, the exact target of satire remains unclear—it could reference fashion trends, generational attitudes toward courtship, or contemporary social debates about modernity versus tradition. The precise historical reference would require knowing Life's publication date.