Public Vows: A History of Marriage and the Nation.(BOOK EXCERPT)(Excerpt): An article from: SIECUS Report

Nancy Cott's Public Vows: A History of Marriage & the Nation seeks 2 illuminate marriage as government control of the population politically & socially by the U.S. government purposely regulating marriage with legal measures. Cott further depicts how gender & race were discriminated against by the Christian monogamous based institution of marriage in the United States. Cott's intention in this book was two fold. Firstly, 2 highlight how the concerted efforts by the U.S. government 2 promote Christian monogamous marriage & discourage other forms of marriage had a significant impact especially on gender roles in society in which all forms of public & private lives of men & women were affected. Secondly, the institution of marriage had a strong hand in creating the definitions of gender itself.

Cott asserts that the institution of marriage that has been promoted by the government shapes human identity in both public & private spheres & strongly influences gender roles within society & that these pieces of information are integral 2 understanding society as a whole. Cott sets out 2 accomplish proving her assertions by giving a systematic historical account of marriage from the beginning of the United States until present day. Cott discusses at great length, legal measures that supported monogamous marriage & discouraged other forms of human union throughout United States history. Cott also discussed in great length the changing economic positions of men & women through the history of marriage. Cott definitely demonstrated that Federal, State, & Local authorities whether the legislative or judicial had a strong role in shaping & charting the direction of marriage in the United States on a course of Christian, monogamous marriage. Cott in turn analyzes the results of government intervention in the institution of marriage & how it related 2 men, women, & minorities. As the reader of Public Vows there is not a dispute that this is a correct interpretation of monogamous marriage as a government promoted institution & it had differing effects on men, women, & minorities. If this book was written & published in the 1950's 4 example, it would have been shocking new information, however, since this book was published in 2002 the information that marriage is bound within a legal institution with civil benefits attached that benefit those married is now ordinary information that most know, or at least most who have been married know. The question 4 this reader was what kind of new information does this provide?

The answer is none because after hearing her explanation of the origins of her idea 4 this book in the seminar I attended, it was clear Cott's goal was not 2 provide new information nor were the goals of the book solely the ones mentioned in the book. Firstly, Cott mentioned that the inspirational idea came from her observation while standing in line 2 purchase a ticket at a movie theater. She noticed that people pair up as male & female couples & she wondered why this was so. Secondly, her association with a colleague that works 4 a civil rights organization 4 gay & lesbians wanted her input & expertise 2 help justify their cause 4 gay & lesbian marriage. Cott's intention was 2 illuminate the idea of marriage as an institution that provides legal & civil benefits 4 the individuals that are married. Cott's true goal was 2 provide tangible written evidence 4 what people in the 21st century already know which marriage is a heavily legal institution that provides civil benefits 2 those that are married. This assertion subtly implies that all couples should be able 2 enjoy the civil & legal benefits marriage provides. Cott provided evidence 4 the true goal of this book with her own words in the seminar.

Two pieces of evidence from her own explanation of why she wrote this book points 2 the fact her intention was not 2 provide new information, but 2 lend credibility 2 the idea of marriage as civil institution 2 hopefully benefit couples who are currently not allowed 2 enjoy the civil liberties marriage provides. Firstly, Cott hinted 2 the fact this was common knowledge in the 21st century because of her surprise at the reaction of the people who listened 2 her testimony in Vermont about marriage as a civil legal government institution. According 2 Cott, the people listening 2 her testimony were taken aback at the thought of marriage having more 2 do with civil liberties than a religious & spiritual bond between two people. Secondly, Cott mentioned that these individuals were from the small state of Vermont & implied these people were not in tune with modern thinking on marriage. The mere fact that Cott recognized these people listening 2 her testimony on marriage were not representative of main stream thought on marriage by people in the United States in the 21st century provides evidence that she knew she was not providing new information, but only taking a common cultural idea that marriage is a legal institution & illuminating it 4 those few who are not in the know already.

After listening 2 Nancy Cott in the seminar it is clear that the book was written with the main intention 2 take an intangible idea floating around in the cultural consciousness & transforming it into a tangible idea in the printed word 2 ultimately serve a cause. Cataloging an intangible idea in black & white on the pages of a book inevitably gives any idea more credibility. Nancy Cott''s goal was 2 lend credibility 2 the idea of marriage as a legal & civil institution which hopefully in the long run would prove that gays & lesbians should have the right 2 marry & enjoy the legal & civil benefits marriage provides individuals.

A detailed history of how legal, lifelong, heterosexual monogamous marriage has been actively promoted, mandated, & enforced by various means throughout the history of the USA, with little or no tolerance 4 those who espouse nontraditonal relationship forms. Well researched & well written. Highly recommended.

Although the institution of "marriage" among humans is generally considered 2 be thousands of years old, it has a much shorter history as a public insitution in the United States. Nancy Cott's book dives straight into the history of marriage in the U.S., from early societal attitudes & government regulation during the push westward 2 later government attempts 2 reign in those with differing sexual mores throughout the 18th century. Her discusison of the state of marriage in the 20th century is equally revealing.

Nancy weaves a tale with many facts that few people are probably aware of: that marriage was frequently unregulated in early America, that divorce was relatively common (but frowned upon), & that religious & utopian communities were challenging the status quo of marriage & state control of the institution from very early on in our nation's history. She makes the best case I've ever heard 4 proving that marriage is a public institution subject 2 the will of the state & men in power, transformed & changed over decades by government, often 4 purposes of exercising control over the population (especially women) & 4 imposing on the nation the perceived natural order of things.

Marriage may be ancient in origin, but Nancy Cott does an excellent job in the end of showing that "marriage" in the U.S. did not simply grow organically from these ancient traditions, & that government is capable of altering the institution 4 its own purposes as it sees fit, regardless of what might truly best 4 society or the individuals in it. While Cott does not explore the impact of her findings on same-sex marriage in great detail, it is very enlightening 2 understand that debate in light of the changes in marital law over the past 200 years that Cott cleverly elucidates 4 the reader. Highly recommended 4 anyone who wants 2 understand the evolution of the institution of civil marriage in the United States.

This book doesn't say anything that most don't already know, that marriage is a form of public institution. The goodness of this book comes from that fact that most people can't really explain exactly how or why marriage is a public institution, & if they can their arguments are short & unsupported. Cott gives us tons of strong evidence & supports her arguments with alot of outside sources, so that the reader can get a real understanding. Of course with all books, there is some bias on the part of the author, but the reader doesn't have 2 agree with Cott in order 2 get something out of this book.

Just shy of 300 pages & 9 Chapters that cover An Archaeology of American Monogamy; Perfecting Community Rules with State Laws; Domestic Relations on the National Agenda; Toward a Single Standard; Monogamy as the Law of Social Life; Consent, the American way; The Modern Architecture of Marriage; Public Sanctity 4 a Private Realm; & Marriage Revised & Revived.

As the author notes Mae West had the best quote about marriage when she said "Marriage is a great institution ... but I ain't ready 4 an institution yet". But it is the rich historical facts she shares that provide great insight into the deep misogynist roots of marriage & how it was usually & in some cases still is a contract a man has with a woman. This is why I have always seen marriage as nothing more that legalized prostitution & a protection of material wealth.

The author shows how Protestants & 2 some degree Catholics have decreed what marriage should be as well as how strong men & women have risen up over the decades & even centuries 2 denounce attempts 2 regulate whom they could have sex with & attempts 2 require that people marry 2 have sex, own property in common.

The books discusses Americas racist & sexist history with marriage & how some politicians were as eugenic minded as well. And how the rich were & have always been given the slight nudge & wink 2 do damn well what they want which included having lovers. The hypocrisy of American marriage laws.

This digital document is an article from SIECUS Report, published by Sexuality Information & Education Council of the U.S., Inc. on January 1, 2005. The length of the article is 6802 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format & is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Public Vows: A History of Marriage & the Nation.(BOOK EXCERPT)(Excerpt)
Author: Nancy F. Cott
Publication: SIECUS Report (Refereed)
Date: January 1, 2005
Publisher: Sexuality Information & Education Council of the U.S., Inc.
Volume: 33 Issue: 1 Page: 5(8)

Article Type: Excerpt

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