Our Constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law. The humblest is the peer of the most powerful.
John Marshall HarlanRead
Far from being the basis of the good society, the family, with its narrow privacy and tawdry secrets, is the source of all our discontents.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that families may contribute more to societal issues than they resolve, highlighting their private struggles.
Edmund Leach's quote challenges the idealized view of the family as a cornerstone of a good society, positing instead that the family's secrets and private conflicts are significant sources of discontent within society. This perspective encourages a critical examination of the role families play in shaping individual behaviors and societal norms, suggesting that rather than being a refuge or model of good, the family unit may often perpetuate dysfunction and dissatisfaction.
Themes
FamilySocietyDiscontentSecretsPrivacy
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about societal issues during a community meeting, one could use this quote to introduce a debate on family dynamics.
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