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The talkativeness of women has been gauged in comparison…

“The talkativeness of women has been gauged in comparison not with men but with silence. Women have not been judged on the grounds of whether they talk more than men, but of whether they talk more than silent women.” quote by Dale Spender
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“The talkativeness of women has been gauged in comparison not with men but with silence. Women have not been judged on the grounds of whether they talk more than men, but of whether they talk more than silent women.”

Dale Spender

About This Quote

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

Women’s speech is judged against silence, not against men, highlighting a double standard that silences female voices.

In simple terms: Women are judged by silence, not men.

Key Takeaway

Challenge the silence bias against women.

Themes

gender silence double standard

Mood

critical reflective

Type

feminist social commentary

When to use this quote

  • workplace meetings
  • media representation
  • academic discourse

Key Concepts

feminist theory social norms communication

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does silence affect women’s confidence?
  • What can amplify women’s voices?
A Different Perspective

Silencing can be internalized, limiting self‑expression.

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