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(Young girls) are taught to not see, and instead to "make…

“(Young girls) are taught to not see, and instead to "make pretty" all manner of grotesqueries whether they are lovely or not. This training is why the youngest sister can say, "Hmmm, his beard isn't really that blue." This early training to "be nice" causes women to override their intuitions. In…” quote by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
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““(Young girls) are taught to not see, and instead to "make pretty" all manner of grotesqueries whether they are lovely or not. This training is why the youngest sister can say, "Hmmm, his beard isn't really that blue." This early training to "be nice" causes women to override their intuitions. In that sense, they are actually purposefully taught to submit to the predator. Imagine a wolf mother teaching her young to "be nice" in the face of an angry ferret or a wily diamondback rattler.””

Clarissa Pinkola Estés

About This Quote

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

Girls are taught to suppress intuition and be pleasant, which conditions them to tolerate predatory behavior and ignore harmful cues.

In simple terms: Girls learn to be nice, ignoring warning signs.

Key Takeaway

Teach intuition and assertiveness early.

Themes

gender social social conditioning predation

Mood

cautionary empowering

Type

analytical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • parenting
  • education
  • workplace
  • media representation

Key Concepts

psychology feminist theory mythic archetypes

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we balance kindness with self‑protection?
  • What early lessons empower women to trust instincts?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on niceness can silence legitimate self‑advocacy.

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