The Anthropology of Reproduction

All cultures, everywhere, reproduce If not, they cease to exist How important is sex in our culture? 1.1 billion results on google… Why is sex taboo? Every culture has taboos about sex

[OK] (Not Ok) {No Opinion} Sex before marriage: [61] (33) {6} Sex as teenagers: [16] (67) {10} Homosexuality: [55] (42) {3} Homosexuality (18-29): [65] Homosexuality (30-64): [55] Homosexuality (65+): [40] Sex Without Love: [25] (73) {2}

Gender Homosexuality v. Heterosexuality Time Certain cultures, sex only permitted during certain time of year/month/etc. Age Marriage Incest Taboo

Forms of Marriage Monogamy = one spouse Most common form of marriage

Forms of Marriage Polygyny = Man has more than one wife Most preferred form of marriage in about 80% of cultures

Forms of Marriage Polyandry = Woman has more than one husband Extremely rare

Forms of Marriage Same-sex marriage = marriage between 2 members of the same sex Controversial in U.S.

Love and Marriage havent always gone together Arranged marriages are a way to bring 2 families together Q&feature=player_embedded Q&feature=player_embedded

Tristan and Isolde Western ideal that love is central to the most desirable union Five Themes of Love 1. Money and Status should not matter Isolde is destined to be a princess. Tristan is a great knight, but otherwise a poor orphan, sent to bring her to King Mark.

Tristan and Isolde Western ideal that love is central to the most desirable union Five Themes of Love 2. Strikes from Nowhere They get thirsty on the boat over to England and find what they think is wine. It is actually a love potion.

Tristan and Isolde Western ideal that love is central to the most desirable union Five Themes of Love 3. Makes you crazy The brew they drink makes them fall madly in love, to the point where they cannot go on with their lives apart.

Tristan and Isolde Western ideal that love is central to the most desirable union Five Themes of Love 4. Love is painful Tristan falls ill and calls for Isolde. When his new wife (who he doesnt really love) lies and says Isolde isnt coming, Tristan dies of grief. Isolde shows up to find him dead, and dies of a broken heart.

Tristan and Isolde Western ideal that love is central to the most desirable union Five Themes of Love 5. Love is divine T3V9EC5s T3V9EC5s The Nurse, upon finding out Tristan and Isolse have drunk the love potion, says they have drunk their deaths. Tristan responds, "If by death, you mean the punishment we are to suffer if discovered, I accept that." But here is the kicker: "And if by death, you mean eternal punishment in the fires of hell, I accept that too." Love is DIVINE.

But…Tristan and Isolde NEVER MARRY Love and Marriage dont come together until the late 17 th century Among the property- less poor! Who quite literally have nothing to lose!

Belief by our society that there is one person who is perfect for us Made for us wCrI wCrI

If marriage has evolved as cultures have changed, how will marriage change in the future?