SEXLESS MARRIAGE AS A SOCIAL IDEAL: Maggie's two cents

No, I am not talking about mixed-orientation marriages, but unisex (or genderless) marriage as an ideal. I think Eve is right that one of the social consequences of gay marriage will be a neutering of marital and parenting language in the public square. We won't speak about husbands and wives, but spouses and partners. We won't talk about mothers and fathers any more, but committed parents.

Now the bonds between women and our children will not I think be much affected by this. The maternal bond is the strongest known social tie in nature or culture. It can take some linguistic hits.

But I think it is true that if you take a previously masculine activity and make it unisex, it is harder to get men to do it, esp. if it involves sacrifice on their part. Men will do less to be good spouses than good husbands, good parents than good fathers.


posted by maggie at 12:38 PM VOTE

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home