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The History of the Wife: A Must-Read for Anyone Interested in Women's History

Darnell Mitchell

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A History Of The Wife

by Marilyn Yalom

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4225 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	468 pages

Marriage is a universal institution that has been around for centuries. But what does it mean to be a wife? How has the role of wife changed over time? And what are the challenges that wives have faced throughout history?

The History of the Wife, by historian Stephanie Coontz, is a groundbreaking work that explores these questions and more. Coontz draws on a wealth of historical sources to paint a vivid picture of the lives of wives from ancient times to the present day.

Coontz shows us that the role of wife has varied greatly depending on the time and place. In some cultures, wives were little more than chattel, while in others they enjoyed a great deal of power and influence. The rise of Christianity gave rise to the idea of marriage as a sacrament, which further solidified the role of wife as subordinate to her husband.

However, the Industrial Revolution brought about major changes in the role of wife. As more and more women entered the workforce, they began to demand greater equality in marriage. The feminist movement of the 19th and 20th centuries further challenged traditional gender roles, and today, wives are more likely to be seen as partners in marriage rather than as subordinates.

The History of the Wife is a fascinating and important book that sheds light on the history of marriage and its impact on women's lives. It is essential reading for anyone interested in women's history, marriage, or gender studies.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the book:

The role of wife has varied greatly depending on the time and place.
In some cultures, wives were little more than chattel, while in others they enjoyed a great deal of power and influence.
The rise of Christianity gave rise to the idea of marriage as a sacrament, which further solidified the role of wife as subordinate to her husband.
The Industrial Revolution brought about major changes in the role of wife as more and more women entered the workforce.
The feminist movement of the 19th and 20th centuries further challenged traditional gender roles, and today, wives are more likely to be seen as partners in marriage than as subordinates.