Divorce Quote by Wendell Berry
““Marriage, in what is evidently its most popular version, is now on the one hand an intimate “relationship” involving (ideally) two successful careerists in the same bed, and on the other hand a sort of private political system in which rights and interests must be constantly asserted and defended. Marriage, in other words, has now taken the form of divorce: a prolonged and impassioned negotiation as to how things shall be divided.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Unsettling of America” by Wendell Berry, 1977
Marriage has become a negotiated political arena where partners constantly assert rights, resembling a prolonged divorce.
In simple terms: Marriage is now a constant negotiation of rights.
Key Takeaway
Treat relationships as collaborative negotiations.
Themes
marriage
politics
negotiation
career
rights
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
sociological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family planning
- career couples
- legal agreements
Key Concepts
Power dynamics
gender roles
contractual view
Questions to Reflect On
- How can couples balance intimacy and negotiation?
- What alternatives exist to the political view of marriage?
A Different Perspective
May overgeneralize modern marriages.
