Every woman while she would be ready to die of shame if…
“Every woman while she would be ready to die of shame if surprised in the act of generation, nonetheless carries her pregnancy without a trace of shame and indeed with a kind of pride. The reason is that pregnancy is in a certain sense a cancellation of the guilt incurred by coitus; thus coitus bears all the shame and disgrace of the affair, while pregnancy, which is so intimately associated with it, stays pure and innocent and is indeed to some extent sacred.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Pregnancy is viewed as a redeeming, sacred outcome that offsets the shame of sexual activity, reflecting societal double standards.
In simple terms: Pregnancy is seen as pure, unlike the shame of sex.
Key Takeaway
Question how cultural narratives assign moral value to reproduction.
Themes
morality
gender
sex
psychology
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- family planning
- sex education
- ethical debates
- personal identity
- cultural critique
Key Concepts
guilt
redemption
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- Do we still hold such double standards?
- How can we respect both sexual freedom and reproductive dignity?
A Different Perspective
This view may ignore women's autonomy and the complexity of reproductive choices.