Finding a Grand Amour in Marriage in Postwar France
Finding a Grand Amour in Marriage in Postwar France
This chapter argues that despite the fact that marriage rates soared in postwar France, there was also a widespread perception that the institution was in crisis. Once considered a key to social and national stability, marriage became associated with self-fulfillment and personal happiness after World War II. Although this new notion of marriage implied that marriage carried more emotional significance than in the past, it also inspired fears that the divorce rate would rise, as marriages founded on personal happiness would unravel once one partner was dissatisfied. Experts, therefore, crafted a number of responses, such as marriage preparation courses and marriage counseling, intended to shore up both marital and national stability.
Keywords: France, postwar, marriage, divorce, self-fulfillment
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