Skip to content

In my time and neighborhood (and in my soul) there was…

“In my time and neighborhood (and in my soul) there was only one standard by which a woman measured success: did some man want her?” quote by Jessamyn West
Download Open image
“In my time and neighborhood (and in my soul) there was only one standard by which a woman measured success: did some man want her?”

Jessamyn West

About This Quote

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

Success for women was measured solely by male desire, reducing their worth to external validation.

In simple terms: Women’s value was judged by whether men wanted them.

Key Takeaway

Seek self‑defined measures of success.

Themes

gender society self‑worth

Mood

critical thoughtful

Type

sociological feminist

When to use this quote

  • career choices
  • relationships
  • personal development

Key Concepts

patriarchal standards identity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does this view affect women's choices?
  • What alternative standards can be embraced?
A Different Perspective

May overlook other cultural success metrics.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Jessamyn West

Explore all 52 Jessamyn West quotes

More My soul quotes

Browse all 1,118 My soul quotes