The Surprising, Liberating History of Marriage
Stephanie Coontz's new book explores the evolving nature of marriage and challenges traditional notions surrounding it. She argues that the concept of a 'traditional marriage' is a myth, and that understanding the diverse history of marriage can empower individuals to create relationships that better suit their needs. Coontz highlights the increasing number of people, particularly women, who are choosing not to marry or are redefining what marriage means to them.
- ▪Stephanie Coontz has been advocating for a broader understanding of marriage for over 30 years.
- ▪Her book, For Better and Worse, argues that traditional marriage models are outdated and restrictive.
- ▪A record number of Americans, particularly women, are choosing not to marry, reflecting changing societal values.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
BooksThe Surprising, Liberating History of MarriageTo find a future for the institution, Stephanie Coontz turns to its wildly varying past.By Honor JonesPhoto-illustration by Kim Hoeckele*June 4, 2026, 7:30 AM ET ShareSave Listen−1.0x+Seek0:0017:33A few months ago, one of my best friends told me that she and her boyfriend had gotten engaged. Engaged? I thought. What for? She has two young kids and has never been married; he’s older; they each have their own apartment; she seemed happy with the way things were. “Congratulations!” I said, because he’s a good person, and I love my friend. Then I asked where they were going to live, and she laughed in my face.“Oh, we’re not moving in together,” she said. She’d assumed I would have known that. They might do it someday, sure.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Atlantic.
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