Einstein's parents held traditional views regarding marriage, believing that a wife was a luxury that could only be afforded by a financially stable man. This perspective was particularly aimed at Mileva Maric, suggesting that their relationship was contingent on economic status. Einstein disagreed with this notion, seeing it as reductive and detrimental to the genuine connection between partners.

He expressed a low opinion of viewing marriage in such transactional terms, stating that it equated a wife to a prostitute, differing only by the permanence of the commitment involved. Einstein's thoughts highlight his belief in the importance of mutual respect and equality in marital relationships, rather than a mere economic arrangement.