Abstaining Quote by Anne Taylor Fleming
“It was palpable, all that wanting: Mother wanting something more, Dad wanting something more, everyone wanting something more. This wasn't going to do for us fifties girls; we were going to have to change the equation even if it meant . . . abstaining from motherhood, because clearly that was where Mother got caught.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Girls Who Went to the City, Anne Taylor Fleming, 1975
A family feels trapped by unfulfilled desires, prompting a radical choice to reject traditional roles for freedom.
In simple terms: Family pressure pushes a woman to reject motherhood for independence.
Key Takeaway
Consider redefining expectations.
Themes
family pressure
gender roles
self‑determination
Mood
conflicted
determined
Type
philosophical
personal
When to use this quote
- career change
- personal growth
- family dynamics
Key Concepts
existential choice
social expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- How do societal expectations shape personal decisions?
- What sacrifices are justified for autonomy?
