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Office of External Communications |
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Contact: Angie Joe |
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EVOLUTION OF MARRIAGE AT UH EVENT Marriage expert Stephanie Coontz will discuss her latest book, “Marriage, A History: From Obedience to Intimacy, or How Love Conquered Marriage,” during a University of Houston co-sponsored event June 14 at The Menil Collection. The event is free and open to the public. Coontz’ book discusses family values and the evolving concept of marriage, which have been the subject of much debate. The Evergreen State College professor of history analyzes the idea of marriage and the modern notion of “soul mates.” She says the concept of soul mates has, ironically, made an increasing number of marriages less stable. In her new book, Coontz describes the traditional idea of marriage, consisting of a loving relationship between a man, a woman and their children. But, to find true happiness, she suggests, one must consider alternatives to marriage, including divorce, gay marriage and single living. These new options encourage people to reject the trap of loveless or unsatisfying marriages. UH is pleased to bring such an important and original thinker to Houston, said one organizer. “At a time when marriage is under scrutiny from popular TV shows like ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ‘Wife Swap,’ Stephanie Coontz chronicles the surprising history of the institution, from the marital intrigues of ancient Babylon to the sexual torments of Victorian lovers to the current debates over the meaning and future of marriage,” said Steven Mintz, UH professor of history. “She shows that today’s marriages are fragile not because Americans have become more self-centered and career-minded, but because we expect more from marriage than any previous generation.” Other popular books by Coontz include “The Way We Never Were: American Families” and “Nostalgia Trap and the Way We Really Are: Coming to Terms with America’s Changing Families.” In a book review by The New York Times, Coontz was described as “brilliant and invariably provocative,” and the Los Angeles Times referred to her as “a treasure” of the literary scene. Coontz’ work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Harper’s, the Washington Post, Vogue, Newsweek and the Journal of Marriage and the Family. The presentation is sponsored by the UH Women’s Studies Program, UH History Department, UH College of Education, UH’s Teaching American History grant partners, Region IV Education Service Center, the Houston Independent School District and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. For additional information about the event, contact Steven Mintz at smintz@uh.edu. WHO: Marriage expert and
best-selling author Stephanie Coontz WHERE: The Menil Collection, 1515 Sul Ross, Houston,
Texas 77006 For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom. |
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