Never before in history had societies thought that such a set of high expectations about marriage was either realistic or desirable. Although many Europeans and Americans found tremendous joy in building their relationships around these values, the adoption of these unprecedented goals for marriage had unanticipated and revolutionary consequences that have since come to threaten the stability of the entire institution.
Stephanie Coontz, Marriage, a History: From Obedience to Intimacy or How Love Conquered Marriage
expectations, love, marriage