More generally, there were a number of fraternal organizations (Knights of Columbus was another) where the men, many of which probably worked in the same factory, would gather in the evening while their wives looked after the kids. Bowling was big for some of the same reasons. Look back at some of the TV shows of the era that featured working class people, or even a cartoon like the Flintstones, and you'll see that they were just an accepted part of life.
