Many women to whom I have preached the doctrine of freedom…
“Many women to whom I have preached the doctrine of freedom have weakly replied, 'But who is to support the children?' It seems to me that if the marriage ceremony is needed as a protection to insure the enforced support of children, then you are marrying a man who, you suspect, would under certain conditions, refuse to support his children, and it is a pretty low-down proposition. For you are marrying a man whom you already suspect of being a villain. But I have not so poor an opinion of men that I believe the greater percentage of them to be such low specimens of humanity.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
If marriage is seen only as a guarantee for child support, it reduces the partner to a potential villain, undermining trust and equality.
In simple terms: Marriage shouldn't be just a safety net.
Key Takeaway
Seek partnership based on mutual respect.
Themes
marriage
gender equality
trust
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
social
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family planning
- legal reforms
- relationship counseling
- social activism
Key Concepts
social contract
power dynamics
ethical responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives exist for protecting children without compromising equality?
- How can legal systems better support both parents?
A Different Perspective
Societal expectations may pressure women into unequal arrangements.