A History of Marriage in America (abbreviated)

A Found Poem

“Coverture held that 
no female person had 
a legal identity. 

"At birth, a female baby 
was covered by 
her father’s identity, 
and then, 
when she married, 
by her husband’s. 

"The husband and wife became 
one – 
and that one
was the husband. 

"As a symbol of this
subsuming of 
identity, 
women took the last name 
of their husbands.”

“The very being and legal existence 
of the woman
is suspended during the marriage
or at least is incorporated 
into that 
of her husband 
under whose 
wing and protection 
she performs 
everything.” (1769) 

1973:
First 
battered 
women’s 
shelter 
opens 
in U.S.

1993: 
All 50 states have revised laws 
to include marital rape.

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Today’s poem comes from my friend Kathleen’s word divorce which is not mentioned in the found poem but is, I believe, implied between the lines.

If you don’t follow the incredibly insightful blog “Men Yell at Me” by

lyz

lenz, then please do. Lenz is the author of the book “This American Ex-Wife” and known especially for her “Dingii of the Week” series.

If you are a man and feeling defensive … well, hmmm.

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Sources:

Coverture: The Word You Probably Don't Know But Should

A Selective History of Marriage in the United States

Timeline of Legal History of Women in the United States

Facts and Figures: Ending Violence against Women