Re: about this 'nuclear family' thingie

Mark A. Nadler (mnadler@ASHLAND.EDU)
Thu, 25 Apr 1996 13:23:03 -0400

On Thu, 25 Apr 1996, Daniel A. Foss wrote:

> So, when/what is the "nuclear family"?

It is still a dearly held cultural ideal. At a recent dinner party,
where most of the people present were free market liberals who believe in
less government, I advocated the deregulation of marriage practices in
the US. In particular, I said that government should get out of the
business of recognizing and legimatizing particular marriage practices.
A riot practically broke out. Everyone, including my
first (and so far) only wife, wanted to "kick my ass." So much for free
market principles when applied to cultural practices outside of the
market place. This little ditty also tells me how important the nuclear family
is to the psyche of American society.

Mark A. Nadler Internet: mnadler@ashland.edu
Ashland University Phone: (419) 289-5912
Ashland, OH 44805 Fax: (419) 289-5949