--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Having a child is not like taking a…" description: "\"Having a child is not like taking a spouse; there is no mutual agreement entered into. It is up the parent to make the commitment.\" — Alice Dreger" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7a/alice-dreger-14333_agreement_having-a-child-is-not-like-taking-a-spou_1426828.jpg" --- # Having a child is not like taking a spouse; there is no… ![“Having a child is not like taking a spouse; there is no mutual agreement entered into. It is up the parent to make the commitment.” quote by Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7a/alice-dreger-14333_agreement_having-a-child-is-not-like-taking-a-spou_1426828.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7a/alice-dreger-14333_agreement_having-a-child-is-not-like-taking-a-spou_1426828.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7a/alice-dreger-14333_agreement_having-a-child-is-not-like-taking-a-spou_1426828.jpg) > “Having a child is not like taking a spouse; there is no mutual agreement entered into. It is up the parent to make the commitment.” [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Parenthood lacks a mutual contract; commitment is a unilateral decision by the parent, unlike marriage. **In simple terms:** Being a parent is a one‑sided commitment, unlike a mutual spousal agreement. Key Takeaway Embrace responsibility, recognize its unilateral nature. Themes parenthood commitment relationships responsibility Mood thoughtful empathetic Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - family planning - adoption - single parenting - relationship counseling Key Concepts social contract theory ethical duty Questions to Reflect On - How do you negotiate expectations with your child? - What support systems help single parents? A Different Perspective Parents may feel isolated without reciprocal agreement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agreement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agreement/) [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Commitment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commitment/) [Entered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entered/) [Having](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having/) [Having Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having-child/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make/) [Make Commitment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-commitment/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Mutual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mutual/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Spouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spouse/) [Taking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taking/) [Taking Spouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taking-spouse-5068477/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) ## Related quotes > [When you make a commitment to a relationship, you invest your attention and energy in it more profoundly because you now experience ownership of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/when-you-make-a-commitment-to-a-relationship-you-invest-your/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [If you make a commitment, honor it. If you make a promise, keep it. If you set a goal, achieve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan/if-you-make-a-commitment-honor-it-if-you-make-a-promise-keep-it-if/) [Gary Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan/) > [“You call me at 12am or 3am I will pick up your call. Once I make a commitment, I don't go back!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avijeet-das/you-call-me-at-12am-or-3am-i-will-pick-up-your-call-once-i-make-a/) [Avijeet Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avijeet-das/) > [I've always been a man of commitment whether it was academically or professionally. But spiritually I wasn't committed. I was talking the talk and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avery-johnson/i-ve-always-been-a-man-of-commitment-whether-it-was-academically-or/) [Avery Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avery-johnson/) > [I favor a system where students in publicly funded institutions make a commitment: if they do well in the private sector, they will revert…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-gardner/i-favor-a-system-where-students-in-publicly-funded-institutions-make/) [Howard Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-gardner/) > [In 1989 at Greater Saint Steven Full Gospel Church, I gave my life to Christ. That's pretty much where it all started for me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avery-johnson/in-1989-at-greater-saint-steven-full-gospel-church-i-gave-my-life-to/) [Avery Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avery-johnson/) > [When you make a commitment, you build hope. When you keep it, you build trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-make-a-commitment-you-build-hope-when-you-keep-it-you-build/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Love doesn't mean anything if you're not willing to make a commitment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/love-doesn-t-mean-anything-if-you-re-not-willing-to-make-a-commitment/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [Seven Steps to Success 1) Make a commitment to grow daily. 2) Value the process more than events. 3) Don't wait for inspiration. 4)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/seven-steps-to-success-1-make-a-commitment-to-grow-daily-2-value-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Together, let us make this a new beginning. Let us make a commitment to care for the needy, to teach our children the values…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/together-let-us-make-this-a-new-beginning-let-us-make-a-commitment-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [When people ask what you do, tell them you're a writer. Put yourself on the line. Make a commitment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/when-people-ask-what-you-do-tell-them-you-re-a-writer-put-yourself-on/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [As we move forward into this 21st century, we encourage all of you to take a positive step toward universal understanding. Touch people with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masami-saionji/as-we-move-forward-into-this-21st-century-we-encourage-all-of-you-to/) [Masami Saionji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masami-saionji/) > [One of the best kept secrets in America is that people are aching to make a commitment, if they only had the freedom and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-naisbitt/one-of-the-best-kept-secrets-in-america-is-that-people-are-aching-to/) [John Naisbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-naisbitt/) > [It is your birthright to live a life abundant in love. Make the commitment today to open your heart and let your love flow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-simon/it-is-your-birthright-to-live-a-life-abundant-in-love-make-the/) [David Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-simon/) > [I just think, if youre going to get married, if youre going to be with someone and make a commitment, its good to tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-fox/i-just-think-if-youre-going-to-get-married-if-youre-going-to-be-with/) [Megan Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-fox/) ## More by Alice Dreger > [You want a child who never makes you anything but proud? Please. Don't bother taking on parenthood if you can't handle the fact that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/you-want-a-child-who-never-makes-you-anything-but-proud-please-don-t/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [Regardless of the cultural system, social pressure to appear straight seems to be fairly intense cross-culturally. Indeed, one is inclined to wonder, if being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/regardless-of-the-cultural-system-social-pressure-to-appear-straight/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [Fact-checking doesn't exist primarily because some of us are liars and cheats. It exists because writers will be writers, much as they may mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/fact-checking-doesn-t-exist-primarily-because-some-of-us-are-liars/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [We don't really know where human sexual orientations come from yet. What we do know is that the evidence we have that sexual orientation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/we-don-t-really-know-where-human-sexual-orientations-come-from-yet/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [Using medicine in the service of cosmesis is generally bad for patients, bad for doctors, and bad for democracy. The only exceptions are when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/using-medicine-in-the-service-of-cosmesis-is-generally-bad-for/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [Doctors are human animals. They want to be loved, they are tribal, they instinctually favor stories over scientific evidence, they make mistakes, and even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/doctors-are-human-animals-they-want-to-be-loved-they-are-tribal-they/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [If we have a situation where a man is particularly graceful in a sport that rewards grace - say, for example, figure skating -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/if-we-have-a-situation-where-a-man-is-particularly-graceful-in-a/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [So many times I've heard people say that the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples won't really change anything other than some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/so-many-times-i-ve-heard-people-say-that-the-right-to-marry-for-gay/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [Instead of constantly enhancing the norm - forever upping the ante of the 'normal' with new technologies - we should work on enhancing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/instead-of-constantly-enhancing-the-norm-forever-upping-the-ante-of/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [A hospital may spend several million dollars separating a pair of conjoined twins even though that separation is likely to leave them worse off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/a-hospital-may-spend-several-million-dollars-separating-a-pair-of/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [A democratic medical establishment does not alter people's bodies to fit regressive social norms; it advocates for patients by demanding the social body get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/a-democratic-medical-establishment-does-not-alter-people-s-bodies-to/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [We now know that sex is complicated enough that we have to admit nature doesn't draw the line for us between male and female,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/we-now-know-that-sex-is-complicated-enough-that-we-have-to-admit/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [The safety argument against steroids may be a good one, but let's be honest. It isn't the one that motivates most officials and fans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/the-safety-argument-against-steroids-may-be-a-good-one-but-let-s-be/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [Doctors and scientists, being part of that two-sex culture, have done everything they can to try to force people who are in-between into one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/doctors-and-scientists-being-part-of-that-two-sex-culture-have-done/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [Surely, sport is not fundamentally about the safety of athletes. If it were, we'd probably have to ban professional football, right after boxing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/surely-sport-is-not-fundamentally-about-the-safety-of-athletes-if-it/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) [Explore all 47 Alice Dreger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) ## More Agreement quotes > [Therefore, I see whatever exists as good, death is to me like life, sin like holiness, wisdom like foolishness, everything has to be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/therefore-i-see-whatever-exists-as-good-death-is-to-me-like-life-sin/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [There's no way to have a peace agreement unless the mediator or negotiator looks at both sides from an equal basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/there-s-no-way-to-have-a-peace-agreement-unless-the-mediator-or/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Biochemists and biologists who adhere blindly to the Darwinism theory search for results that will be in agreement with their theories and consequently orient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-paul-grasse/biochemists-and-biologists-who-adhere-blindly-to-the-darwinism-theory/) [Pierre-Paul Grasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-paul-grasse/) > [In coming to that agreement, my party had a clear philosophy throughout. In Northern Ireland, we should have institutions that respected the differences of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hume/in-coming-to-that-agreement-my-party-had-a-clear-philosophy/) [John Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hume/) > [Identity is not negotiable. An identity you have achieved by agreement is always a prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/identity-is-not-negotiable-an-identity-you-have-achieved-by-agreement/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [I am formally accountable to the steering board of the PIC, and I meet with nine ambassadors from the PIC every week. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/i-am-formally-accountable-to-the-steering-board-of-the-pic-and-i-meet/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [Because countries often have differing political and economic systems, agreements are needed to protect those invested in trade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/because-countries-often-have-differing-political-and-economic-systems/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [As long as I sit at Henry Clay's desk, I will remember his lifelong desire to forge agreement, but I will also keep close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/as-long-as-i-sit-at-henry-clay-s-desk-i-will-remember-his-lifelong/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [Gaia's main problems are not industrialization, ozone depletion, overpopulation, or resource depletion. Gaia's main problem is the lack of mutual understanding and mutual agreement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wilber/gaia-s-main-problems-are-not-industrialization-ozone-depletion/) [Ken Wilber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wilber/) > [We recognize that NAFTA is a three-country agreement, and we need a three-country negotiation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrystia-freeland/we-recognize-that-nafta-is-a-three-country-agreement-and-we-need-a/) [Chrystia Freeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrystia-freeland/) > [At Ohio State University, to avoid being guilty of 'sexual assault' or 'sexual violence,' you and your partner now apparently have to agree on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/at-ohio-state-university-to-avoid-being-guilty-of-sexual-assault-or/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Whatever you perceive, you always make a story with yourself as the main character, and that dictates your life. 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This was going to result in Iran getting 50 billion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/netanyahu-made-all-sorts-of-claims-this-was-going-to-be-a-terrible/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) [Browse all 1,138 Agreement quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agreement/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Having a child is not like taking a spouse; there is no mutual agreement entered into. 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