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Meaning
The quote says that many societies have treated single people as less important or less worthy of respect than married people. It points to a long-standing social bias rather than a one-time opinion. The wording suggests a criticism of how relationships have been valued unevenly.
When It Was Said
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Who It Was Said To
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Historical Context
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Source
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Original Language & Translation
Originally said in English.
Did They Really Say It?
No source found on Wikiquote; the quote is listed as attributed.
Did You Know?
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About Stephanie Coontz
American author and historian, faculty emeritus at The Evergreen State College
Stephanie Coontz is an American author and historian, and faculty emeritus at The Evergreen State College. She is known for her work on the history of family life and marriage. She taught history and family studies, and served as Director of Research and Public Education for the Council on Contemporary Families, which she chaired from 2001 to 2004. She has written and edited several books on family and marriage, and appears in the 2017 documentary Monogamish, which looks at monogamy, marriage, and alternative relationship structures in American society.
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Marriage: more sayings
- “I think I was always looking for that perfect woman, who obviously doesn't exist. I wanted to be married. I w…”Rod Stewart
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Books by Stephanie Coontz
Marriage, a history
2005
The way we never were
1992
A strange stirring
2010