Skip to content

Women have always been seen as waiting: waited to be…

“Women have always been seen as waiting: waited to be asked, waiting for our menses, in fear lest they do or do not come, waiting for men to come home from wars, or from work, waiting for children to grow up, or for the birth of a new child, or for menopause.” quote by Adrienne Rich
Download Open image
“Women have always been seen as waiting: waited to be asked, waiting for our menses, in fear lest they do or do not come, waiting for men to come home from wars, or from work, waiting for children to grow up, or for the birth of a new child, or for menopause.”

Adrienne Rich

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Women have historically been defined by waiting for external events, limiting their agency.

In simple terms: Women are often passive.

Key Takeaway

Challenge passive roles.

Themes

gender patriarchy agency

Mood

critical empowering

Type

feminist reflective

When to use this quote

  • activism
  • education
  • policy reform
  • personal empowerment

Key Concepts

social expectations historical roles

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we redefine waiting?
  • What empowers women to act?
A Different Perspective

Changing deep‑rooted cultural norms is difficult.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Adrienne Rich

Explore all 364 Adrienne Rich quotes

More Birth quotes

Browse all 6,183 Birth quotes