Skip to content

Father, mother, child, which express both the union of the…

“Father, mother, child, which express both the union of the sexes and de production of the being, can only be considered dependently on one another, and relatively to one another. A woman could exist without the existence of a man; but there is no mother if there is no father, nor a child without…” quote by Louis de Bonald
Download Open image
““Father, mother, child, which express both the union of the sexes and de production of the being, can only be considered dependently on one another, and relatively to one another. A woman could exist without the existence of a man; but there is no mother if there is no father, nor a child without both of them. Each one of these ways of being presumes and recalls the other two; that is to say, they are relative. Considered thus, they are called relationships, in Latin, ratio; father, mother, child are persons, and their union forms the family. The union of the sexes, which is the foundation of all these relationships, is called marriage.””

Louis de Bonald

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Family structures are defined by interdependent roles of parents and child, rooted in marriage as the core union.

In simple terms: Family roles depend on each other, centered on marriage.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the mutual reliance within family roles.

Themes

family relationships interdependence

Mood

analytical critical

Type

philosophical social

When to use this quote

  • marriage counseling
  • parenting workshops
  • social policy
  • education

Key Concepts

social contract gender roles marriage institution

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do contemporary families reflect or diverge from this view?
  • What role does marriage play today?
A Different Perspective

Modern families may not fit traditional models.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Louis de Bonald

Explore all 4 Louis de Bonald quotes

More Children quotes

Browse all 62,396 Children quotes