The idea that in prehistoric times a man would spend his life hunting only for the benefit of his own wife and children, who were dependent solely upon his hunting prowess for survival, is simply a projection of 1950s marital norms onto the past.

Stephanie Coontz
About This Quote

A study that compared the genetic makeup of more than three million people worldwide revealed that more than 80 percent of men and women in prehistoric times were not related to their spouses. People of the past did not choose their mates based on looks, intelligence or economic status. Instead, they married someone who shared their same lifestyle, food source and often the same location. This is because the world was a very small place at the time and your tribe could be your only link to food and safety. The idea that people would spend their lives hunting only for the benefit of their own family is clearly a projection of 1950s marital norms onto the past.

Source: Marriage, A History: From Obedience To Intimacy Or How Love Conquered Marriage

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