“Marriage is a school itself. Also, having children. Becoming a father changed my whole life. It taught me as if by revelation.”
- April 1, 1908 – June 8, 1970
- American
- Psychologist, Creator of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Humanistic Psychology Pioneer
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Quote
“Marriage is a school itself. Also, having children. Becoming a father changed my whole life. It taught me as if by revelation.”
Explanation
In this quote, Abraham Maslow acknowledges the profound transformative power of close personal relationships, especially those formed through marriage and parenthood. He refers to marriage as a “school”—not a fixed state, but a continuous process of learning, growth, and self-discovery. The experience of becoming a father, he says, changed him deeply and suddenly, “as if by revelation,” suggesting that the insights gained from loving and caring for a child were emotionally powerful and intellectually awakening.
This insight complements Maslow’s psychological theories, especially his emphasis on love, belonging, and self-actualization as essential human needs. While his academic work often focused on individual potential, here he emphasizes how relationships themselves are essential to realizing that potential. Emotional bonds—particularly those involving responsibility and unconditional care—can expand one’s sense of self, sharpen values, and reorient priorities. In other words, personal growth is not only an internal journey, but one catalyzed and shaped by deep human connections.
In modern terms, this quote resonates with the experiences of many who find that family life brings unexpected depth and maturity. Parenthood and partnership often prompt people to confront their limitations, discover new capacities for love, and commit to something larger than themselves. Maslow’s reflection reminds us that personal development is not confined to solitary effort or intellectual pursuit—it is also born in the shared, intimate, and humbling lessons of everyday life with others.
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