Marriage may be polygamic, monogamic, polyandric, complex…
“Marriage may be polygamic, monogamic, polyandric, complex according to the Oneida pattern, or other, and is true marriage (I do not say perfect marriage) so long as it promotes the happiness of the persons married, and the procreation, support, and education of children, and so long as it is founded on the joint free contract of the persons married, and remains under the sanction of the organic society of which those persons are members.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Marriage should be a consensual contract that prioritizes mutual happiness, child welfare, and societal approval, regardless of its form.
In simple terms: Marriage is a flexible, consensual partnership.
Key Takeaway
Seek relationships that support all partners and children.
Themes
marriage
consent
happiness
social contract
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
ethical
Type
philosophical
guiding
When to use this quote
- family planning
- relationship counseling
- community building
- legal reform
Key Concepts
utopian socialism
family law
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines a healthy marriage for you?
- How does society influence marital expectations?
A Different Perspective
Rigid definitions may exclude non‑traditional families.