--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Marriage ... has historically been a…" description: "\"Marriage ... has historically been a battlefield, the site of collisions within and between governments and religions over who should regulate it. But ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e34/evan-wolfson-37152_battlefields_marriage-has-historically-been-a-battlef_1680045.jpg" --- # Marriage ... has historically been a battlefield, the site… ![“Marriage ... has historically been a battlefield, the site of collisions within and between governments and religions over who should regulate it. But marriage has weathered centuries of skirmishes and change. It has evolved from an institution that was imposed on some people and denied to others…” quote by Evan Wolfson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e34/evan-wolfson-37152_battlefields_marriage-has-historically-been-a-battlef_1680045.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e34/evan-wolfson-37152_battlefields_marriage-has-historically-been-a-battlef_1680045.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e34/evan-wolfson-37152_battlefields_marriage-has-historically-been-a-battlef_1680045.jpg) > “Marriage ... has historically been a battlefield, the site of collisions within and between governments and religions over who should regulate it. But marriage has weathered centuries of skirmishes and change. It has evolved from an institution that was imposed on some people and denied to others, to the loving union of companionship, commitment, and caring between equal partners that we think of today.” [Evan Wolfson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-wolfson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Marriage has shifted from a regulated institution to a partnership based on mutual love and equality, despite historical conflicts **In simple terms:** Marriage moved from control to equal companionship Key Takeaway Support equal, loving partnerships Themes marriage equality social change Mood thoughtful optimistic inspirational Type social historical When to use this quote - policy advocacy - relationship counseling - educational programs Key Concepts legal reform cultural evolution human rights Questions to Reflect On - How can societies further promote marital equality? - What lessons from history can guide future reforms? A Different Perspective Resistance to change persists in some cultures and laws ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Battlefields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battlefields/) [Caring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caring/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Collision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collision/) [Commitment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commitment/) [Companionship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/companionship/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Institutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/institutions/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Unions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unions/) ## Related quotes > [A trustworthy marriage has weathered temptation and anger and jealousy, resentment, self-righteousness and a little bit of selfishness. When you get over and get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/a-trustworthy-marriage-has-weathered-temptation-and-anger-and/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [Marriage has historically been in the domain of the States to regulate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrine-brown/marriage-has-historically-been-in-the-domain-of-the-states-to-regulate/) [Corrine Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrine-brown/) > [I'm against redefining marriage historically 5,000 years... because then it'll be re-defined. What if it's between a brother and a sister?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/i-m-against-redefining-marriage-historically-5-000-years-because-then/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Marriage has historically, as long as there's been human history, meant a man and a woman in a relationship for life. Once we change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-huckabee/marriage-has-historically-as-long-as-there-s-been-human-history-meant/) [Mike Huckabee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-huckabee/) > [It's weathered many a storm, but the British film industry is, thankfully, still afloat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/it-s-weathered-many-a-storm-but-the-british-film-industry-is/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [Things are pretty good in Canada. We weathered the recession fairly well. And, of course, were up here up living here, we're watching American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-mercer/things-are-pretty-good-in-canada-we-weathered-the-recession-fairly/) [Rick Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-mercer/) > [We've weathered several periods when times weren't so good, and so I don't think we'll cancel our advertising now. In fact, we might even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-keith-kellogg/we-ve-weathered-several-periods-when-times-weren-t-so-good-and-so-i/) [Will Keith Kellogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-keith-kellogg/) > [...I was doing someones hair the day I first saw my guitar ... a guy was walking down the street with it, and knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-buchanan/i-was-doing-someones-hair-the-day-i-first-saw-my-guitar-a-guy-was/) Roy Buchanan > [The ship of Democracy, which has weathered all storms, may sink through the mutiny of those aboard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grover-cleveland/the-ship-of-democracy-which-has-weathered-all-storms-may-sink-through/) [Grover Cleveland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grover-cleveland/) > [An anniversary says, "Think of the dreams you have weathered together. They are intimate accomplishments."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/an-anniversary-says-think-of-the-dreams-you-have-weathered-together/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [A weathered skeleton in windy fields of memory, piercing like a knife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matsuo-basho/a-weathered-skeleton-in-windy-fields-of-memory-piercing-like-a-knife/) [Matsuo Basho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matsuo-basho/) > [Pitt the Younger was a great British Prime Minister. He saved Europe from Napoleon, he was the pilot who weathered the storm. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-heath/pitt-the-younger-was-a-great-british-prime-minister-he-saved-europe/) [Edward Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-heath/) > [Trials, temptations, disappointments -- all these are helps instead of hindrances, if one uses them rightly. They not only test the fibre of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buckham-kennedy/trials-temptations-disappointments-all-these-are-helps-instead-of/) James Buckham Kennedy > [Like every aspect of cancer I've weathered thus far, today's experience was not at all demoralizing, expensive or humiliating. No, it was just plain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/april-winchell/like-every-aspect-of-cancer-i-ve-weathered-thus-far-today-s/) [April Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/april-winchell/) > [Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buckham-kennedy/every-trial-endured-and-weathered-in-the-right-spirit-makes-a-soul/) James Buckham Kennedy ## More by Evan Wolfson > [I'm not in this just to change the law. It's about changing society. I want gay kids to grow up believing that they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-wolfson/i-m-not-in-this-just-to-change-the-law-it-s-about-changing-society-i/) [Evan Wolfson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-wolfson/) > [Marriage is a language of love, equality, and inclusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-wolfson/marriage-is-a-language-of-love-equality-and-inclusion/) [Evan Wolfson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-wolfson/) > [There is no marriage without engagement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-wolfson/there-is-no-marriage-without-engagement/) [Evan Wolfson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-wolfson/) > [Marriage is not defined by who is denied it. When gay people share in the freedom to marry, it doesn't change your marriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-wolfson/marriage-is-not-defined-by-who-is-denied-it-when-gay-people-share-in/) [Evan Wolfson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-wolfson/) > [When it comes to federal programs, even if states are discriminating, the federal government should not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-wolfson/when-it-comes-to-federal-programs-even-if-states-are-discriminating/) [Evan Wolfson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-wolfson/) > [Marriage is also a social statement, preeminently describing and defining a person's relationship and place in society. Marital status, along with what we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-wolfson/marriage-is-also-a-social-statement-preeminently-describing-and/) [Evan Wolfson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-wolfson/) > [My marriage is my marriage, and it means I'm able to share in the same aspirations of commitment and love and support and dedication…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-wolfson/my-marriage-is-my-marriage-and-it-means-i-m-able-to-share-in-the-same/) [Evan Wolfson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-wolfson/) > [Courts should always do the right thing. But if winning were as simple as making a good argument and filing a good brief, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-wolfson/courts-should-always-do-the-right-thing-but-if-winning-were-as-simple/) [Evan Wolfson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-wolfson/) > [The right wing would love nothing more than for us to spend all of our airtime discussing distractions such as polygamy, bestiality and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-wolfson/the-right-wing-would-love-nothing-more-than-for-us-to-spend-all-of/) [Evan Wolfson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-wolfson/) > [What is so powerful here is that we have the first federal appellate court and it's a case coming out of Utah affirming in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-wolfson/what-is-so-powerful-here-is-that-we-have-the-first-federal-appellate/) [Evan Wolfson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-wolfson/) > [I think there's tremendous significance and opportunity in Americans seeing legally married gay couples treated with respect in our nation's capital.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-wolfson/i-think-there-s-tremendous-significance-and-opportunity-in-americans/) [Evan Wolfson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-wolfson/) [Explore all 12 Evan Wolfson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-wolfson/) ## More Battlefields quotes > [Talented people can predict with great accuracy what's about to happen just a tiny bit ahead of their competitors. It might be two seconds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/talented-people-can-predict-with-great-accuracy-what-s-about-to/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [Men grow old quickly on the battlefield.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/men-grow-old-quickly-on-the-battlefield/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [We have won an armistice on a single battlefield, not peace in our world. We may not now relax our guard nor cease our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/we-have-won-an-armistice-on-a-single-battlefield-not-peace-in-our/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [Madaming is the sort of thing that happens to you - like getting a battlefield commission or becoming the dean of women at Stanford…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-stanford/madaming-is-the-sort-of-thing-that-happens-to-you-like-getting-a/) [Sally Stanford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-stanford/) > [It is unfortunate when final decisions are made by chieftains headquartered miles away from the front, where they can only guess at conditions and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/attila-the-hun/it-is-unfortunate-when-final-decisions-are-made-by-chieftains/) [Attila the Hun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/attila-the-hun/) > [There are courageous and honest men enough in both sections to fight. There is no question of courage involved. The people of both sections…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-toombs/there-are-courageous-and-honest-men-enough-in-both-sections-to-fight/) [Robert Toombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-toombs/) > [Energy will be the immediate test of our ability to unite this Nation, and it can also be the standard around which we rally.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/energy-will-be-the-immediate-test-of-our-ability-to-unite-this-nation/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [The women has her own battlefield with every child she brings into the world she fights a battle for the nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/the-women-has-her-own-battlefield-with-every-child-she-brings-into/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [What's always got me is the fact that when people talked on the telly about Iraq, before Afghanistan kicked off, you'd get only these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-kemp/what-s-always-got-me-is-the-fact-that-when-people-talked-on-the-telly/) [Ross Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-kemp/) > [I was in the midst of it all - saw war where war is worst - not on the battlefields, no - in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/i-was-in-the-midst-of-it-all-saw-war-where-war-is-worst-not-on-the/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [A dance performance is rather like going out into a battlefield. You have to hold the attention of as many as five to 10,000…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yamini-krishnamurthy/a-dance-performance-is-rather-like-going-out-into-a-battlefield-you/) Yamini Krishnamurthy > [ \[President Johnson\] had the political will to say that having one in five Americans living in the kind of abject conditions their fellow citizens… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/president-johnson-had-the-political-will-to-say-that-having-one-in/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [ \[on L. Ron Hubbard\] I'm not in favor of his religion by any means. But he wrote a book called 'Battlefield Earth' that was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/on-l-ron-hubbard-i-m-not-in-favor-of-his-religion-by-any-means-but-he/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [Digiphrenia - how technology lets us be in more than one place - and self - at the same time. Drone pilots suffer more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-rushkoff/digiphrenia-how-technology-lets-us-be-in-more-than-one-place-and-self/) [Douglas Rushkoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-rushkoff/) [Browse all 231 Battlefields quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battlefields/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Marriage ... has historically been a battlefield, the site of collisions within and between governments and religions over who should regulate it. But marriage has weathered centuries of skirmishes and change. 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