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What do you want to be?” “A mother,” I said simply…

“What do you want to be?” “A mother,” I said simply, because it was true. That’s what I wanted first and foremost. “And a really excellent wife and partner. And homemaker. I want to have a family to take care of, to love and fuss over and think about. That’s what I want. I know it’s not…” quote by Penny Reid
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““What do you want to be?” “A mother,” I said simply, because it was true. That’s what I wanted first and foremost. “And a really excellent wife and partner. And homemaker. I want to have a family to take care of, to love and fuss over and think about. That’s what I want. I know it’s not progressive, or flashy, and I know people don’t place much importance on that stuff anymore, just like people don’t put much importance on humility and kindness, forgiveness and compassion. But those things are important to me. I know people will look down their noses at me for being just a mom, but I’m used to being marginalized for what I do and what I look like. And I think being a great mother is the most difficult and most important job in the world. So people can just take their judgmental crap and—””

Penny Reid

About This Quote

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

The speaker values traditional family roles and personal virtues over societal trends, asserting motherhood as a vital, challenging vocation.

In simple terms: Motherhood and kindness matter more than modern status symbols.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize authentic personal values over external approval.

Themes

family motherhood humility kindness gender roles

Mood

reflective determined hopeful

Type

personal statement philosophical

When to use this quote

  • parenting
  • career choices
  • social judgment
  • self‑identity

Key Concepts

Traditional gender expectations personal fulfillment social marginalization

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance personal fulfillment with societal expectations?
  • What support can uplift undervalued roles?
A Different Perspective

Societal pressure may devalue these roles, leading to undervaluation.

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