Maiden Mother Matriarch with Louise Perry BONUS: Marriage, Mirrors, and Modernity’
Jul 2, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Rob Henderson, a writer and researcher focused on status and cultural trends, delves into the rising costs of weddings and their link to declining marriage rates. He explores the concept of costly signaling theory, where extravagant weddings symbolize commitment amidst high divorce rates. The conversation also touches on whether hunter-gatherers might be happier than modern Westerners and suggests a surprising practice for Lent: giving up mirrors. Tune in for thought-provoking insights on marriage and societal norms!
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Weddings as Commitment Signals
- Weddings have become costly signals of commitment replacing marriage certificates.
- Lavish weddings show serious investment more than just signing a marriage certificate.
Expensive Weddings Delay Marriage
- Expensive weddings can delay or prevent marriage due to affordability.
- The societal pressure for lavish weddings can block marriage for less wealthy couples.
Marriage Legal Binding Effect
- Marriage legally binds couples, creating commitment and reducing breakup likelihood.
- Unlike informal relationships, legal contracts in marriage provide staying power despite reversibility.
