Summary: Is the “traditional” marriage between one man and one woman really the most preferred form of marriage? History suggests it is not. In addition to polygamy (the most valued, historically), there is also polyandry (one woman, many husbands), ghost marriages, “female husbands,” and many others, and almost none of them had anything to do with love. Join WHY? as Jack Russel Weinstein visits with Stephanie Coontz about her research on the history of marriage, family, and the moral systems that justify the choices.
I am a voracious consumer of PRX content. I adore series such as Short Docs which never fail to interest and satisfy. However (you knew this was coming), the service seems to me to be taking a hard turn toward the mawkish – a steady stream of victim narratives. I would think a more muscular, upbeat, and forward-looking re-vamp would be in order.
Yes, I think I understand your staff is young and, quite naturally, in thrall to what it feels is the empathetic and sympathetic. On the other hand, I don't think they actually accomplish what all of us want. That is, a celebration of the aural panorama largely free from paeans to what they suppose are the plights of what are actually very small slivers of the society.
Comments for WHY? Episode 35 - "Philosophy of Marriage" with Stephanie Coontz
This piece belongs to the series "Why? Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life"
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Hubert Smith
Posted on August 04, 2017 at 09:26 AM | Permalink
Polyandry, etc.
I am a voracious consumer of PRX content. I adore series such as Short Docs which never fail to interest and satisfy. However (you knew this was coming), the service seems to me to be taking a hard turn toward the mawkish – a steady stream of victim narratives. I would think a more muscular, upbeat, and forward-looking re-vamp would be in order.
Yes, I think I understand your staff is young and, quite naturally, in thrall to what it feels is the empathetic and sympathetic. On the other hand, I don't think they actually accomplish what all of us want. That is, a celebration of the aural panorama largely free from paeans to what they suppose are the plights of what are actually very small slivers of the society.