Marriage and Civilization

William Tucker documents the historical and anthropological story behind how monogamous, lifelong partnerships are the driving force behind the creation and rise of civilization.

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Marriage built civilization. Will its collapse lead to our downfall?

In Marriage and Civilization, Tucker takes readers on a journey through the history of the human race to demonstrate how a pattern of life-long, monogamous pairings has enabled humans to build modern civilization. Drawing extensively on biological, anthropological, and historical evidence, Tucker makes the case that marriage is not only a desirable institution for societies, it’s actually the bedrock of civilization.

Tucker also examines America (and the world)’s current marriage crisis, and the factors that have led to the decline of marriage, the dramatic rise of divorce, and the epidemic of single parenthood. He draws bold predictions about what could happen to American society of marriage collapses entirely, and he sketches out the threat from polygamous groups such as fundamental Muslim sects. Polygamy, Tucker argues, not only generates discontent and disorder within a society, but promotes violence against others. Monogamous marriage is vital not only to our domestic well-being, but our survival in the face of violent enemies.