Accidents Quote by Crystal Eastman
“What is the problem of women's freedom? It seems to me to be this: how to arrange the world so that women can be human beings, with a chance to exercise their infinitely varied gifts in infinitely varied ways, instead of being destined by the accident of their sex to one field of activity--housework and child-raising. And second, if and when they choose housework and child-raising to have that occupation recognized by the world as work, requiring a definite economic reward and not merely entitling the performer to be dependent on some man.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Women’s Freedom, 1912
She argues that true freedom means allowing women to pursue any vocation, and recognizing domestic work as paid labor.
In simple terms: Women should have equal opportunity and be paid for all work.
Advocate for gender‑equal labor policies.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- career counseling
- education
- activism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies value unpaid care work?
- What policies best support women’s choice?
Recognition of domestic work faces cultural resistance and measurement challenges.