--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We shelter children for a time; we live…" description: "\"We shelter children for a time; we live side by side with men; and that is all. We owe them nothing, and are owed nothing. I think we owe our friends m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/fay-weldon-3097_children_we-shelter-children-for-a-time-we-live-s_1146962.jpg" --- # We shelter children for a time; we live side by side with… ![“We shelter children for a time; we live side by side with men; and that is all. We owe them nothing, and are owed nothing. I think we owe our friends more, especially our female friends.” quote by Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/fay-weldon-3097_children_we-shelter-children-for-a-time-we-live-s_1146962.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/fay-weldon-3097_children_we-shelter-children-for-a-time-we-live-s_1146962.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/fay-weldon-3097_children_we-shelter-children-for-a-time-we-live-s_1146962.jpg) > “We shelter children for a time; we live side by side with men; and that is all. We owe them nothing, and are owed nothing. I think we owe our friends more, especially our female friends.” [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We provide temporary care for children and coexist with men, but owe more to friends, especially women, than to those we merely share space with. **In simple terms:** We care for kids and live with men, but should value female friends more. Key Takeaway Prioritize deep friendships over casual obligations. Themes friendship gender social responsibility caregiving community Mood reflective thoughtful empathetic Type advice philosophical social commentary When to use this quote - parenting - community building - friendship circles - gender advocacy Key Concepts reciprocity gender dynamics empathy Questions to Reflect On - How can we better support female friends? - What does “owing” mean in friendships? A Different Perspective Friends may have expectations that conflict with personal boundaries. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Female](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/female/) [Female friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/female-friends/) [Friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friends/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Shelter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shelter/) [Side by side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/side-by-side/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I'm like all parents who try to shelter their children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/najat-vallaud-belkacem/i-m-like-all-parents-who-try-to-shelter-their-children/) [Najat Vallaud-Belkacem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/najat-vallaud-belkacem/) > [The more we shelter children from every disappointment, the more devastating future disappointments will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-more-we-shelter-children-from-every-disappointment-the-more/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Friends don't owe ... Friends don't repay.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moira-young/friends-don-t-owe-friends-don-t-repay/) [Moira Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moira-young/) > [“Nobody owes nobody nothin'. You owe yourself. Friends don't owe! They do because the wanna do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nobody-owes-nobody-nothin-you-owe-yourself-friends-don-t-owe-they-do/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I owe much to my friends; but, all things considered, it strikes me that I owe even more to my enemies. 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