--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I could not identify with harming my…" description: "\"I could not identify with harming my child or giving up my child. But I could identify with giving up my child if it were going to be ultimately in his..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/026/drea-de-matteo-19836_best_i-could-not-identify-with-harming-my-chi_2593.png" --- # I could not identify with harming my child or giving up my… ![“I could not identify with harming my child or giving up my child. But I could identify with giving up my child if it were going to be ultimately in his best interest.” quote by Drea De Matteo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/026/drea-de-matteo-19836_best_i-could-not-identify-with-harming-my-chi_2593.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/026/drea-de-matteo-19836_best_i-could-not-identify-with-harming-my-chi_2593.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/026/drea-de-matteo-19836_best_i-could-not-identify-with-harming-my-chi_2593.png) > “I could not identify with harming my child or giving up my child. But I could identify with giving up my child if it were going to be ultimately in his best interest.” [Drea De Matteo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drea-de-matteo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She distinguishes between harming a child and making a painful sacrifice for the child’s long‑term welfare. **In simple terms:** You may sacrifice a child if it’s truly best for them. Key Takeaway Hard choices can be justified by future benefit. Themes parenthood ethics sacrifice child welfare Mood somber conflicted Type ethical reflection parental dilemma When to use this quote - medical decisions for a child - legal custody battles - adoption considerations Key Concepts moral calculus in parental decisions Practical Applications - evaluate long‑term outcomes before making painful choices Questions to Reflect On - How do we determine a child’s best interest? - When is sacrifice morally permissible? A Different Perspective The statement assumes a clear, objective best interest, which is often contested. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Giving up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-up/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) ## Related quotes > [Charity is a naked child, giving honey to a bee without wings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/charity-is-a-naked-child-giving-honey-to-a-bee-without-wings/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [I just have a sense that Obama's not going to ultimately succeed in totally transforming America into something other than how it was founded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/i-just-have-a-sense-that-obama-s-not-going-to-ultimately-succeed-in/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [If you can keep going and never give up, ultimately you will get something that you really want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-chow/if-you-can-keep-going-and-never-give-up-ultimately-you-will-get/) [Stephen Chow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-chow/) > [You do what you do - in the circumstances in which you find yourself - because of the way you are. 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A child needs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dannika-dark/don-t-trouble-yourself-with-the-woes-of-life-for-they-will-only/) [Dannika Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dannika-dark/) > [Don't forget that the most effective form of child abuse is giving a child everything they want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/don-t-forget-that-the-most-effective-form-of-child-abuse-is-giving-a/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) ## More by Drea De Matteo > [I was a real East Village girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drea-de-matteo/i-was-a-real-east-village-girl/) [Drea De Matteo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drea-de-matteo/) > [I definitely play roles that are close to my persona. I was dying to be an actor, my whole life. I just always wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drea-de-matteo/i-definitely-play-roles-that-are-close-to-my-persona-i-was-dying-to/) [Drea de Matteo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drea-de-matteo/) > [I don't think anybody is ever going to call me to play someone who is mousy and demure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drea-de-matteo/i-don-t-think-anybody-is-ever-going-to-call-me-to-play-someone-who-is/) [Drea De Matteo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drea-de-matteo/) > [I should have just become a manager.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drea-de-matteo/i-should-have-just-become-a-manager/) [Drea De Matteo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drea-de-matteo/) > [I'm proud to join Cruelty Free International in calling on the United States to end cosmetics testing on animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drea-de-matteo/i-m-proud-to-join-cruelty-free-international-in-calling-on-the-united/) [Drea De Matteo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drea-de-matteo/) > [I went to NYU for acting, for six years. 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Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drea-de-matteo/first-of-all-i-would-shoot-myself-if-i-ever-had-to-play-straight/) [Drea de Matteo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drea-de-matteo/) > [I'd love to do a 'Sopranos' sequel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drea-de-matteo/i-d-love-to-do-a-sopranos-sequel/) [Drea De Matteo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drea-de-matteo/) > [With 'Sons of Anarchy,' I had to leave a couple of times - I got another show, and I had a baby - so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drea-de-matteo/with-sons-of-anarchy-i-had-to-leave-a-couple-of-times-i-got-another/) [Drea De Matteo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drea-de-matteo/) > [People like to see certain actors do certain things, and people like to see me play that role. 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