Transnational Coupling in the Age of Nation Making during the 19th and 20th Centuries

This work examines and compares courtship and marriage patterns between France and the United States during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, showing how they were part of a broader cultural love affair.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 14 February 2023
Publisher: Anthem Press

This comprehensive study explores and compares courtship and marriage practices between France and the United States during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Moving beyond state-centered examinations of marriage law, it employs transnational history, cultural history, and the history of emotion to demonstrate that these unions formed part of a broader cultural romance between the two nations.

The nineteenth century saw a significant shift in the dynamics of courtship and marriage in both France and the United States. In France, the traditional courtship system, characterized by arranged marriages and strict social hierarchies, began to give way to more individualistic and romantic relationships. Young people were given more freedom to choose their partners and pursue their own interests, leading to a rise in premarital sex and divorce rates.

In the United States, the nineteenth century was marked by the expansion of the frontier and the arrival of new immigrants. This led to a greater diversity of cultural practices and values, which influenced the development of courtship and marriage. Women were given more rights and opportunities, and there was a greater emphasis on individualism and self-expression.

The twentieth century saw further changes in courtship and marriage patterns in both France and the United States. In France, the aftermath of World War II led to a social and economic upheaval, which resulted in a greater emphasis on equality and social mobility. Women gained more rights and opportunities in the workplace, and there was a rise in premarital sex and divorce rates.

In the United States, the twentieth century was characterized by the rise of consumer culture and the sexual revolution. Young people were exposed to new ideas and values about sex and relationships, leading to a greater emphasis on sexual freedom and experimentation. There was also a rise in premarital sex and divorce rates.

Despite these changes, courtship and marriage practices in France and the United States have many similarities. Both societies place a high value on romantic love and commitment, and both societies have experienced a shift towards more individualistic and romantic relationships. However, there are also significant differences between the two cultures. For example, France has a more traditional approach to marriage, with a strong emphasis on family and social hierarchy, while the United States has a more liberal approach to marriage, with a greater emphasis on individual rights and freedoms.

In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that courtship and marriage patterns in France and the United States have undergone significant changes over the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. These changes have been influenced by a range of cultural, social, and economic factors, including the expansion of the frontier, the arrival of new immigrants, and the rise of consumer culture and the sexual revolution. While there are many similarities between the two cultures, there are also significant differences, which reflect the unique histories and values of each nation.

Weight: 400g
Dimension: 157 x 237 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839986208