Character Quote by Emma Goldman
““Society considers the sex experiences of a man as attributes of his general development, while similar experiences in the life of a woman are looked upon as a terrible calamity, a loss of honor and of all that is good and noble in a human being. This double standard of morality has played no little part in the creation and perpetuation of prostitution. It involves the keeping of the young in absolute ignorance on sex matters, which alleged “innocence,” together with an overwrought and stifled sex nature, helps to bring about a state of affairs that our Puritans are so anxious to avoid or prevent.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Social Significance of the Sex Question”, 1910
Societal double standards judge men’s and women’s sexual experiences differently, fueling oppression.
In simple terms: Women’s sexuality is judged harsher.
Key Takeaway
Challenge gendered moral judgments.
Themes
gender
sex
morality
power
oppression
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- activism
- education
- policy reform
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
double standard
patriarchy
sexual education
prostitution
honor
Questions to Reflect On
- How do double standards affect personal freedom?
- What reforms could reduce sexual hypocrisy?
A Different Perspective
Changing attitudes requires deep cultural shifts.
