Girls are better at this sort of labour, often called…
““Girls are better at this sort of labour, often called 'emotional labour', not because there's anything in the meat and matter of our living cells that makes us naturally better but because we're trained for it from birth. Trained to make other people feel good. Trained to serve the coffee, fill in the forms, organise the parties and wipe the table afterwards. Trained to be feisty, if we must, but not strong. To be bubbly, not funny. You must at no stage appear to have a body that functions in a normal human way, that pisses and shits and sweats and farts and falters. Decorate the prison of your body. Make yourself useful. Shut up and smile.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Societal expectations train women to perform emotional labour, limiting authentic expression and reinforcing gendered stereotypes.
In simple terms: Women are taught to manage emotions for others, restricting true self.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge gendered emotional expectations.
Themes
gender
emotional labour
stereotypes
identity
authenticity
Mood
critical
defiant
empathetic
Type
political
social commentary
When to use this quote
- workplace
- family life
- friendships
- activism
- self‑care
Key Concepts
Social conditioning
gender roles
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does emotional labour affect your wellbeing?
- What steps can you take to reclaim authentic expression?
A Different Perspective
Not all women experience this uniformly; cultural differences affect expectations.