#933 - Brad Wilcox - Why Are Liberal Women Becoming Unhappy?

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Apr 26, 2025

Brad Wilcox, a Professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia and Director of the National Marriage Project, dives into the discomfort of young liberal women contrasting with the happiness of conservative women. He challenges the myth of finding a soulmate and questions whether pursuing happiness may be more crucial than marriage itself. The discussion reveals how family ties and social networks shape joy and social mobility, alongside the generational shifts affecting happiness and family dynamics in today's world.

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Liz Gilbert's Romance Instability

Liz Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love" ends with a storybook romance but she ultimately leaves her partner for another soulmate.
This illustrates the instability of relationships founded solely on romantic feelings without broader commitments.

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Family-First Marriage Approach

Build your marriage on pursuing the good of the other, emphasizing family and solidarity over just feelings.
Appreciate multiple dimensions in marriage to withstand conflicts without instability.

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Marriage Commitment and Divorce Advice

Before marriage, ensure your partner shares commitment to marriage virtues like loyalty and patience.
Only separate if high conflict or abuse exists; low-conflict unhappiness is better resolved by strengthening the marriage for children's sake.

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The Two-Parent Privilege

Melissa Kearney

In this book, Melissa S. Kearney presents a provocative case for the economic benefits of marriage, highlighting how the decline of marriage has exacerbated economic and social inequalities in the US. Based on over a decade of economic research, Kearney argues that households with two married parents offer significant economic and non-economic benefits to both the parents and their children, particularly in terms of financial stability, educational outcomes, and social mobility. She emphasizes that the decline in marriage is more pronounced among lower socioeconomic groups, leading to a 'two-parent privilege' that advantages children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. Kearney also discusses the underlying causes of the marriage decline, including changes in male wages and female labor market participation, and suggests policy implications to address these issues.

Of Boys and Men

Richard V. Reeves

In 'Of Boys and Men,' Richard V. Reeves delves into the complex and urgent crisis of boyhood and manhood. He discusses how profound economic and social changes have led to many boys and men losing ground in education, the workplace, and family life. Reeves presents detailed research on the structural challenges, including lower academic performance, declining labor force participation, and the specific hardships faced by black boys and men. He argues that both conservative and progressive politicians have failed to provide effective solutions and offers fresh, innovative proposals such as delaying boys' entry into school, increasing male teachers, and improving vocational education. The book emphasizes the need for a positive vision of masculinity in a more equal world without compromising gender equality[3][4][5].

Eat, Pray, Love

Elizabeth Gilbert

In 'Eat, Pray, Love', Elizabeth Gilbert chronicles her journey as she leaves behind her outwardly successful but inwardly unfulfilling life in the United States. The book is divided into three parts, each set in a different country: Italy, where she seeks pleasure and indulges in the local culture; India, where she delves into spiritual practices and meditation; and Bali, Indonesia, where she aims to find a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence. The memoir is a personal and introspective account of Gilbert's struggles, growth, and self-discovery during her travels.

Get Married

Brad Wilcox