Peer Marriage

by Pepper Schwartz

The ideal of equality between men and women has been embraced by our legal system, our educational institutions, and in many of our workplaces. Now the ideal of equality is being sought on the most personal level of all, that of marriage itself. This best-selling author and sociologist demonstrates in this ground-breaking book, true equality is possible, but only by departing radically from traditional marital patterns, and by a willingness to accept some serious costs. The author describes the pitfalls and rewards of a marriage without a power hierarchy.

205 pages, Hardcover

Published May 9, 1994

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although Pepper Schwartz claims that she is going to tell us what makes "near peer" marriages different from truly egalitarian marriages, she lies. For most of the book, she talks about how sucky it is to be in a partnership bound by traditional gender roles, and how awesome it is to be in an egalitarian relationship.

What sets apart the people who are trying for an egalitarian relationship but fail, from the people who succeed? Uh, mumble mumble handwave commitment. Gee, thanks, Dr. Schwartz!

If you have someone in your life who needs to be convinced that an egalitarian relationship is a realistic goal, or that traditional gender roles are not actually the key to happiness, this might be a little too condescending but then again it might be just the thing. Otherwise, skip it.

[Hope]

The premise of this book is interesting, and I think I would agree with much that the author has to say, but I am just not in the mood for it after all.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

hardback; clean text, solid binding, worn dust jacket; $3.99