Marriage Quote by Bella DePaulo
““The other side of mental blanketing - the buffing and puffing up of marriage to keep it seeming shiny and magical - is up against a formidable fact. Statistically speaking, the act of marrying is banal. Even though many Americans wait longer than ever to marry, and often do not stay long in the marriages they do enter, most Americans - close to 90 percent - still do marry at some point in their lives. Some try it over and over again. Marrying, then, does not make people special; it makes them conventional.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Marriage and the Marriage Crisis, Bella DePaulo, 2015
The quote argues that marriage is a common, statistically ordinary institution, not a marker of uniqueness or specialness.
In simple terms: Marriage is ordinary, not special.
Key Takeaway
Recognize marriage as a social norm, not a status symbol.
Themes
social norms
marriage
conformity
identity
statistics
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
observational
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- relationship counseling
- personal identity formation
- social policy discussions
- media portrayals of marriage
Key Concepts
sociology
cultural expectations
statistical reality
Questions to Reflect On
- What does marriage mean to you beyond societal expectations?
- How does viewing marriage as conventional affect your relationship choices?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook the personal meaning and emotional fulfillment some find in marriage.
![“I don't like being away from home. That's one reason why I don't work as much as I used to [when I started my career], because so many things are on the road. I just don't want to be away from my husband, my dogs and my home. I don't sing that much any more because that also takes you on the road.” quote by Jane Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07c/jane-powell-36243_away_i-don-t-like-being-away-from-home-that-s_278.jpg)
