Family Quote by Ellen Key
“The married woman as family provider beside the man, often also in place of the man, but always however subservient to the man's dominion - this is the worst form of woman slavery our time has created.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Women and Civilization, Ellen Key, 1916
The quote critiques a societal role where women serve as providers yet remain subordinate, describing it as a severe form of modern slavery.
In simple terms: Women are expected to work but stay under men’s control.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge gender hierarchies.
Themes
gender roles
women’s rights
power dynamics
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
social commentary
feminist
When to use this quote
- workplace
- family dynamics
- policy debates
- activism
Key Concepts
patriarchy
economic dependence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does economic contribution affect gender power?
- What alternatives exist to subservient roles?
A Different Perspective
It overlooks women’s agency and diverse cultural contexts.
![“[The married woman is] is a bonded slave, who takes her master's name, her master's bread, and serves her master's passion; [and] who passes through the ordeal of pregnancy and the throes of travail at his dictation.” quote by Voltairine de Cleyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c98/voltairine-de-cleyre-13597_bread_the-married-woman-is-is-a-bonded-slave-w_893588.jpg)
