“The origins of modern marital instability lie largely in the triumph of what many people believe to be marriage's traditional role - providing love, intimacy, fidelity, and mutual fulfillment. The truth is that for centuries, marriage was stable precisely because it was not expected to provide such benefits.”

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.