The Evolution of Marriage and of the Family

The Evolution of Marriage and of the Family, published in 1891 by Ch. Letourneau, is a scientific examination of the origins and development of marriage and family structures. The author compares human and animal behaviors, arguing that these social constructs have evolved from simpler forms of organization found in the animal kingdom. Letourneau emphasizes the biological foundations of marriage, suggesting that human sexual behavior is influenced by basic biological processes observable in other species, thereby framing human relationships within an evolutionary context.