--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Growing in tandem is virtually impossible…" description: "\"“Growing in tandem is virtually impossible in a patriarchal society, as ours has been. Only one-half of the couple has the use of that remarkable suppo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a71/gail-sheehy-3031_marriage_growing-in-tandem-is-virtually-impossibl_673680.jpg" --- # Growing in tandem is virtually impossible in a patriarchal… ![“Growing in tandem is virtually impossible in a patriarchal society, as ours has been. Only one-half of the couple has the use of that remarkable support system known as a wife. Added to this basic determinant of tempo is the rate of social change. Even in a relatively stagnant society, the odds…” quote by Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a71/gail-sheehy-3031_marriage_growing-in-tandem-is-virtually-impossibl_673680.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a71/gail-sheehy-3031_marriage_growing-in-tandem-is-virtually-impossibl_673680.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a71/gail-sheehy-3031_marriage_growing-in-tandem-is-virtually-impossibl_673680.jpg) > ““Growing in tandem is virtually impossible in a patriarchal society, as ours has been. Only one-half of the couple has the use of that remarkable support system known as a wife. Added to this basic determinant of tempo is the rate of social change. Even in a relatively stagnant society, the odds are minimal that any couple can enjoy matched development.”” [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Patriarchal structures hinder equal personal growth for couples, especially women. **In simple terms:** Society limits joint development. Key Takeaway Seek equitable partnership. Themes gender equality relationship dynamics social change Mood thoughtful determined Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - marriage counseling - policy advocacy Key Concepts feminist theory sociology psychology Questions to Reflect On - What steps can couples take to support each other's growth? - How can societies reshape support systems? A Different Perspective Cultural resistance may slow progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Growing Tandem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-tandem-5343580/) [Impossible Patriarchal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impossible-patriarchal-5343581/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Patriarchal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriarchal/) [Patriarchal society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriarchal-society/) [Social change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-change/) [Stagnant Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stagnant-society-5343582/) [Support System](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support-system/) ## Related quotes > [“If attempting to make the world a civilized one, makes you a bad woman in the eyes of the dumb patriarchal society, then, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/if-attempting-to-make-the-world-a-civilized-one-makes-you-a-bad-woman/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“In a patriarchal society, the abiding sexuality of the healthy female was obliged to wear a prim disguise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/in-a-patriarchal-society-the-abiding-sexuality-of-the-healthy-female/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Nothing is good in this society. This patriarchal society is bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/qandeel-baloch/nothing-is-good-in-this-society-this-patriarchal-society-is-bad/) [Qandeel Baloch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/qandeel-baloch/) > [“Gender equality is not a belief, it is not an idea - it is a key element of the society that will define whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/gender-equality-is-not-a-belief-it-is-not-an-idea-it-is-a-key-element/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“All the bloodsheds in human history have been caused by men, not women.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/all-the-bloodsheds-in-human-history-have-been-caused-by-men-not-women/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Any nation that does not learn to place women on the same pedestal of respect and dignity as men, will never in a thousand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/any-nation-that-does-not-learn-to-place-women-on-the-same-pedestal-of/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Any book that spreads weakness in the heart of one gender, and authoritarianism in the other, must be burnt to ashes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/any-book-that-spreads-weakness-in-the-heart-of-one-gender-and/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [The patriarchal society has made women believe, first of all, you're only valid and valuable when you're young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karla-souza/the-patriarchal-society-has-made-women-believe-first-of-all-you-re/) [Karla Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karla-souza/) > [All patriarchal societies are either preparing for war, at war, or recovering from war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/all-patriarchal-societies-are-either-preparing-for-war-at-war-or/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [“I am a scientist who studies the human mind, including the sexual differences in mental faculties, and I am telling you, ten female thinkers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/i-am-a-scientist-who-studies-the-human-mind-including-the-sexual/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“I am no feminist. Even though the term "feminism" is founded upon the basic principle of gender equality, it possesses its own fundamental gender…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/i-am-no-feminist-even-though-the-term-feminism-is-founded-upon-the/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [Being part of a patriarchal society, it kind of helped me figure out what I was all about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-ratajkowski/being-part-of-a-patriarchal-society-it-kind-of-helped-me-figure-out/) [Emily Ratajkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-ratajkowski/) > [In a patriarchal society like ours, women have to fight hard for a seat at the table. Boys are privileged over girls from birth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shabana-azmi/in-a-patriarchal-society-like-ours-women-have-to-fight-hard-for-a/) [Shabana Azmi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shabana-azmi/) > [“The representation of women in the society, especially through mass media has been the most delusional act ever done on the grounds of human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/the-representation-of-women-in-the-society-especially-through-mass/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Remember, for a society to truly progress we don't need woman or man, we need a fully-fledged human - nothing short of that would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/remember-for-a-society-to-truly-progress-we-don-t-need-woman-or-man/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) ## More by Gail Sheehy > [I actually like getting out of my comfort zone. It shakes me up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/i-actually-like-getting-out-of-my-comfort-zone-it-shakes-me-up/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [To be tested is good. The challenged life may be the best therapist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/to-be-tested-is-good-the-challenged-life-may-be-the-best-therapist/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [No one can control the aging process or the trajectory of illness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/no-one-can-control-the-aging-process-or-the-trajectory-of-illness/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [“Further discomfort from these new realities afflicts men who expected to reach a certain level by dint of their white maleness but who now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/further-discomfort-from-these-new-realities-afflicts-men-who-expected/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [I dare to do things - that's how I survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/i-dare-to-do-things-that-s-how-i-survive/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [Spontaneity, the hallmark of childhood, is well worth cultivating to counteract the rigidity that may otherwise set in as we grow older.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/spontaneity-the-hallmark-of-childhood-is-well-worth-cultivating-to/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [By listening, by caring, by playing you back to yourself, friends ratify your better instincts and endorse your unique worth. Friends validate you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/by-listening-by-caring-by-playing-you-back-to-yourself-friends-ratify/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [The first thing one notices about Jill Abramson is her short stature. The second is her intensity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/the-first-thing-one-notices-about-jill-abramson-is-her-short-stature/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [“Ignorant of our own and our mate’s inner life, we are ruled largely by external forces at this stage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/ignorant-of-our-own-and-our-mate-s-inner-life-we-are-ruled-largely-by/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [Family caregiving has become a predictable crisis. Americans are living longer and longer but dying slower and slower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/family-caregiving-has-become-a-predictable-crisis-americans-are/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [“The other real forces urging young people into marriages generally sift down to one of the following: the need for safety, the need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/the-other-real-forces-urging-young-people-into-marriages-generally/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [I'd visually have that idea. I'm diving off the end of the diving board. 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