A woman who has acquired any kind of professional skill…
““A woman who has acquired any kind of professional skill ought, both for her own sake and for that of the community, to be free to continue to exercise this skill in spite of motherhood. She may be unable to do so during the later months of pregnancy and during lactation, but a child over nine months old ought not to form an insuperable barrier to its mother's professional activities. Whenever society demands of a mother sacrifices to her child which go beyond reason, the mother, if she is not unusually saintly, will expect from her child compensations exceeding those she has a right to expect.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Advocates that mothers should retain professional autonomy despite motherhood, arguing against societal expectations that demand unreasonable sacrifices.
In simple terms: Mothers deserve to work and be valued despite having children.
Key Takeaway
Support mothers' career rights.
Themes
gender equality
work-life balance
social justice
Mood
empowering
reflective
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- employment policies
- parental leave
- career counseling
- education systems
Key Concepts
feminist theory
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How can workplaces better accommodate mothers?
- What societal changes reduce pressure on mothers?
A Different Perspective
Balancing child care needs with professional demands can be complex.