Adulthood Quote by Elizabeth Gilbert
“Here in America, marriage still has a mystical, intangible power: It is a passport to adulthood and respectability and to a certain extent citizenship. Any relationship less than "married" is considered temporary and not worthy of honor.”
About This Quote
Marriage in America is often seen as a gateway to social status and citizenship, marginalizing other relationships.
In simple terms: Marriage confers social legitimacy.
Key Takeaway
Question societal norms.
Themes
marriage
social status
citizenship
culture
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
sociological
cultural
When to use this quote
- family planning
- immigration policy
- social research
Key Concepts
intimacy
legal rights
identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does marriage affect personal identity?
- What alternatives could grant similar respect?
A Different Perspective
Changing norms may face resistance.
![“And while [we] do have possibilities that are vast and magnificent and almost infinite in scope, it's important to remember that our choice-rich lives have the potential to breed their own brand of trouble. We are susceptible to emotional uncertainties and neuroses that are probably not very…” quote by Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7fb/elizabeth-gilbert-131_choice_and-while-we-do-have-possibilities-that_30637.jpg)
