--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [W]earisome as it may seem, women must…" description: "\"[W]earisome as it may seem, women must realize that, in making a commitment to a man, they have merged in his unconscious with his mother and have ther..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80c/camille-paglia-652_ambivalence_w-earisome-as-it-may-seem-women-must-rea_556115.png" --- # \[W\]earisome as it may seem, women must realize that, in… ![“[W]earisome as it may seem, women must realize that, in making a commitment to a man, they have merged in his unconscious with his mother and have therefore inherited the ambivalence of that relationship.” quote by Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80c/camille-paglia-652_ambivalence_w-earisome-as-it-may-seem-women-must-rea_556115.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80c/camille-paglia-652_ambivalence_w-earisome-as-it-may-seem-women-must-rea_556115.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80c/camille-paglia-652_ambivalence_w-earisome-as-it-may-seem-women-must-rea_556115.png) > “\[W\]earisome as it may seem, women must realize that, in making a commitment to a man, they have merged in his unconscious with his mother and have therefore inherited the ambivalence of that relationship.” [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Women, when committing to a man, unconsciously merge with his mother’s influence, inheriting the mother‑son ambivalence. **In simple terms:** Commitment can bring mother‑son dynamics into relationships. Key Takeaway Be aware of inherited relational patterns. Themes relationships psychology gender dynamics Mood analytical insightful cautious Type psychological feminist inspirational When to use this quote - marriage - dating - therapeutic counseling - self‑awareness - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychoanalysis family systems identity formation Questions to Reflect On - How do family dynamics shape romantic relationships? - What steps can break unhealthy inherited patterns? A Different Perspective May overgeneralize women's experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambivalence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambivalence/) [Commitment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commitment/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) ## Related quotes > [The moral ambivalence of the great mother goddesses has been conveniently forgotten by those American feminists who have resurrected them. We cannot grasp nature's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/the-moral-ambivalence-of-the-great-mother-goddesses-has-been/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [Ambitious young women today are taught to ignore or suppress every natural instinct, if it conflicts with the feminist agenda posed on them. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/ambitious-young-women-today-are-taught-to-ignore-or-suppress-every/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [“I don't understand women that call themselves a "bitch". It doesn't empower a woman. Rather, it reveals to everyone that you were deeply hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/i-don-t-understand-women-that-call-themselves-a-bitch-it-doesn-t/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [Young women should realize that young men they date will not honor and respect them if they have been involved in moral transgression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-e-faust/young-women-should-realize-that-young-men-they-date-will-not-honor/) [James E. Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-e-faust/) > [When other women have this same operation, it doesn't make any headlines. But the fact that I was the wife of the President put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-ford/when-other-women-have-this-same-operation-it-doesn-t-make-any/) [Betty Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-ford/) > [As women, we have to realize what we bring to the table. What do you want to do for the world? How do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-rowland/as-women-we-have-to-realize-what-we-bring-to-the-table-what-do-you/) [Kelly Rowland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-rowland/) > [Women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-rooney/women-realize-it-s-not-worth-buying-an-entire-pig-just-to-get-a/) [Andy Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-rooney/) > [Wasn't that the point of the book? For women to realize, We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-stockett/wasn-t-that-the-point-of-the-book-for-women-to-realize-we-are-just/) [Kathryn Stockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-stockett/) > [Men always want to be remembered whereas women realize that requires being dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-aguirre/men-always-want-to-be-remembered-whereas-women-realize-that-requires/) [Ann Aguirre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-aguirre/) > [God is not saving the world; it is done. Our business is to get men and women to realize it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/god-is-not-saving-the-world-it-is-done-our-business-is-to-get-men-and/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/yes-we-praise-women-over-40-for-a-multitude-of-reasons-unfortunately/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Most women do not realize that heart disease is the #1 killer of American women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/most-women-do-not-realize-that-heart-disease-is-the-1-killer-of/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [“It’s so hard for women – even nice women – to realize that their bodies are not irresistible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-chandler/it-s-so-hard-for-women-even-nice-women-to-realize-that-their-bodies/) [Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-chandler/) > [When do girls become women? When they realize when boys become men, when they figure out that they pushed away the only man they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/when-do-girls-become-women-when-they-realize-when-boys-become-men/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [The woman is at the heart of the home. Let us pray that we women realize the reason for our existence: to love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/the-woman-is-at-the-heart-of-the-home-let-us-pray-that-we-women/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) ## More by Camille Paglia > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [I cannot be convinced that great artists are moralists. Art is first appearances, then meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/i-cannot-be-convinced-that-great-artists-are-moralists-art-is-first/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [As a registered Democrat, I am praying for a credible presidential candidate to emerge from the younger tier of politicians in their late 40s.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/as-a-registered-democrat-i-am-praying-for-a-credible-presidential/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [Once you have become the centre of a conflict in a complex governmental enterprise you have the obligation to resign.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/once-you-have-become-the-centre-of-a-conflict-in-a-complex/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [I believe that government should confine itself to the public realm and that it should be as stripped down as possible, within reason. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/i-believe-that-government-should-confine-itself-to-the-public-realm/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [I'm a professor of media studies as well as humanities, and I'm an evangelist of popular culture, but when there's only media, then there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/i-m-a-professor-of-media-studies-as-well-as-humanities-and-i-m-an/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [My stress on the truth in sexual stereotypes and on the biologic basis of sex differences is sure to cause controversy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/my-stress-on-the-truth-in-sexual-stereotypes-and-on-the-biologic/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [Are we like late Rome, infatuated with past glories, ruled by a complacent, greedy elite, and hopelessly powerless to respond to changing conditions?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/are-we-like-late-rome-infatuated-with-past-glories-ruled-by-a/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [Effeminate men have suffered a bad press the world over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/effeminate-men-have-suffered-a-bad-press-the-world-over/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [In the theory of gender I began from zero. There is no masculine power or privilege I did not covet. But slowly, step by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/in-the-theory-of-gender-i-began-from-zero-there-is-no-masculine-power/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [I respect the astute and rigorously unsentimental David Horowitz as one of America's most original and courageous political analysts. He has the true 1960s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/i-respect-the-astute-and-rigorously-unsentimental-david-horowitz-as/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [The followers of Derrida are pathetic, snuffling in French pockets for bits of pieces of a deconstructive method already massively and coherently presented and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/the-followers-of-derrida-are-pathetic-snuffling-in-french-pockets-for/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [Gay men are guardians of the masculine impulse. To have anonymous sex in a dark alleyway is to pay homage to the dream of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/gay-men-are-guardians-of-the-masculine-impulse-to-have-anonymous-sex/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [Lesbian feminists, for all their ideals of sisterhood and solidarity, can treat each other with a fickleness, a parasitic exploitativeness, and vicious spite that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/lesbian-feminists-for-all-their-ideals-of-sisterhood-and-solidarity/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [There is no true expertise in the humanities without knowing all of the humanities. Art is a vast, ancient interconnected web-work, a fabricated tradition.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/there-is-no-true-expertise-in-the-humanities-without-knowing-all-of/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) [Explore all 427 Camille Paglia quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) ## More Ambivalence quotes > [The less obvious hurdle is that of preparing parents emotionally and putting forward realistic images of parenthood and motherhood. There also needs to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/the-less-obvious-hurdle-is-that-of-preparing-parents-emotionally-and/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [“In starlit nights I saw you, So cruelly you kissed me. Your lips a magic world, Your sky all hung with jewels. The killing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/echo-and-the-bunnymen/in-starlit-nights-i-saw-you-so-cruelly-you-kissed-me-your-lips-a/) Echo and the Bunnymen > [The base of artistic pursuit is ambivalence and complexity. And that's what I try to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-perez/the-base-of-artistic-pursuit-is-ambivalence-and-complexity-and-that-s/) [Fernando Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-perez/) > [We British play an important role in Europe, even if we have a traditional and historical ambivalence towards the continent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-barber/we-british-play-an-important-role-in-europe-even-if-we-have-a/) [Lionel Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-barber/) > [“Raising a child is the very definition of ambivalence. I am overwhelmed at times by how something can simultaneously be so awful and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/raising-a-child-is-the-very-definition-of-ambivalence-i-am/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [We don't do ambivalence well in America. We do courage of our convictions. We do might makes right. Ambivalence is French. Certainty is American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/we-don-t-do-ambivalence-well-in-america-we-do-courage-of-our/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [“The problem is that when you’re not fighting for survival, it’s easy to stop making decisions and fall into the trap of thinking you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ryder-howe/the-problem-is-that-when-you-re-not-fighting-for-survival-it-s-easy/) Ben Ryder Howe > ['The Simpsons' is about alienation and the ambivalence of living with a family who you love but who drive you completely crazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-groening/the-simpsons-is-about-alienation-and-the-ambivalence-of-living-with-a/) [Matt Groening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-groening/) > [I think we have deluded ourselves into believing that people don't know that abortion is killing. So any pretense that abortion is not killing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-wattleton/i-think-we-have-deluded-ourselves-into-believing-that-people-don-t/) [Faye Wattleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-wattleton/) > [Prudence is not hesitation, procrastination, or moderation. It is not driving in the middle of the road. It is not the way of ambivalence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/prudence-is-not-hesitation-procrastination-or-moderation-it-is-not/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [From the beginning, there have been some religious leaders who greeted the funding of faith-based social services by government with ambivalence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-campolo/from-the-beginning-there-have-been-some-religious-leaders-who-greeted/) [Tony Campolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-campolo/) > [Real love, the kind you have with a person, must go through ambivalence.There is simply no way around it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumar-anupam/real-love-the-kind-you-have-with-a-person-must-go-through-ambivalence/) [Kumar Anupam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumar-anupam/) > [My children cause me the most exquisite suffering of which I have any experience. It is the suffering of ambivalence: the murderous alternation between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/my-children-cause-me-the-most-exquisite-suffering-of-which-i-have-any/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [“Life had this unmoored quality, full of voids and barely acknowledged yearnings, and if I'd made a list of things I wanted desperately at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/life-had-this-unmoored-quality-full-of-voids-and-barely-acknowledged/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Horizontality is a desire to give up, to sleep. Verticality is an attempt to escape. Hanging and floating are states of ambivalence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-bourgeois/horizontality-is-a-desire-to-give-up-to-sleep-verticality-is-an/) [Louise Bourgeois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-bourgeois/) [Browse all 121 Ambivalence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambivalence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "[W]earisome as it may seem, women must realize that, in making a commitment to a man, they have merged in his unconscious with his mother and have therefore inherited the ambivalence of that relationship.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Camille Paglia" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/w-earisome-as-it-may-seem-women-must-realize-that-in-making-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ambivalence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/w-earisome-as-it-may-seem-women-must-realize-that-in-making-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80c/camille-paglia-652_ambivalence_w-earisome-as-it-may-seem-women-must-rea_556115.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80c/camille-paglia-652_ambivalence_w-earisome-as-it-may-seem-women-must-rea_556115.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80c/camille-paglia-652_ambivalence_w-earisome-as-it-may-seem-women-must-rea_556115.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“[W]earisome as it may seem, women must realize that, in making a commitment to a man, they have merged in…” — Camille Paglia", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Camille Paglia", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "[W]earisome as it may seem, women...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/w-earisome-as-it-may-seem-women-must-realize-that-in-making-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/w-earisome-as-it-may-seem-women-must-realize-that-in-making-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```