Marriage Quote by Christopher Ryan
““Morgan’s argument that prehistoric societies practiced group marriage (also known as the primal horde or omnigamy—the latter term apparently coined by French author Charles Fourier) so influenced Darwin’s thinking that he admitted, “It seems certain that the habit of marriage has been gradually developed, and that almost promiscuous intercourse was once extremely common throughout the world.” With his characteristic courteous humility, Darwin agreed that there were “present day tribes” where “all the men and women in the tribe are husbands and wives to each other.” In deference to Morgan’s scholarship, Darwin continued, “Those who have most closely studied the subject, and whose judgment is worth much more than mine, believe that communal marriage was the original and universal form throughout the world….””
About This Quote
Source Book: Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jethá, 2010
Darwin noted that early human societies likely practiced communal marriage, influencing his view of marriage’s evolution.
In simple terms: Early humans may have shared partners, shaping marriage’s history.
Key Takeaway
Consider how cultural histories affect modern norms.
Themes
anthropology
history
sexuality
Mood
thought‑provoking
academic
Type
anthropological
historical
When to use this quote
- anthropology
- education
- relationship counseling
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
evolutionary theory
social structures
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this suggest about the flexibility of social institutions?
- How might this view change contemporary relationship expectations?
A Different Perspective
Evidence is debated; not all scholars agree on universal communal marriage.
![“[Man] has imagined a heaven, and has left entirely out of it the supremest of all his delights, the one ecstasy that stands first and foremost in the heart of every individual of his race…sexual intercourse! It is as if a lost and perishing person in a roasting desert should be told by a rescuer…” quote by Christopher Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/939/christopher-ryan-4309_joy_man-has-imagined-a-heaven-and-has-left-e_187069.jpg)
![“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-from-home_i-don-t-like-being-away-from-home-that-s_278.jpg)
