{"product_id":"book-i5zk","title":"You'll Do","description":"\u003cb\u003eAn illuminating and thought-provoking examination of the uniquely   American institution of marriage, from the Colonial era through the   #MeToo age\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerfect for fans of Rebecca Solnit and Rebecca Traister\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAmericans  hold marriage in such high esteem that we push people toward it, reward  them for taking part in it, and fetishize its benefits to the point  that we routinely ignore or excuse bad behavior and societal ills in the  name of protecting and promoting it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e In eras of slavery and segregation, Blacks sometimes gained white legal status through marriage.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLaws  have been designed to encourage people to marry so that certain  societal benefits could be achieved: the population would increase,  women would have financial security, children would be cared for, and  immigrants would have familial connections.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e   As late as the Great Depression, poor young women were encouraged to marry aged Civil War veterans for lifetime pensions.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe  widely overlooked problem with this tradition is that individuals and  society have relied on marriage to address or dismiss a range of  injustices and inequities, from gender- and race-based discrimination,  sexual violence, and predation to unequal financial treatment.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e   One of the most persuasive arguments against women's right to vote  was that marrying and influencing their husband's choices was just as  meaningful, if not better.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThrough revealing storytelling,  Zug builds a compelling case that when marriage is touted as “the  solution” to such problems, it absolves the government, and society, of  the responsibility for directly addressing them.","brand":"Penguin Random House","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49319417643312,"sku":"BDi5zk","price":27.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/i5zk-cover.jpg?v=1761372492","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-i5zk","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}