--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We can only afford two children' really…" description: "\"“We can only afford two children' really means, 'We only like clean, well-disciplined middle-class children who go to good schools and grow up to be pr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ed/germaine-greer-1521_children_we-can-only-afford-two-children-really-m_1246118.jpg" --- # We can only afford two children' really means, 'We only… ![“We can only afford two children' really means, 'We only like clean, well-disciplined middle-class children who go to good schools and grow up to be professionals', for children manage to use up all the capital that is made available for the purpose, whatever proportion it may be of the family's…” quote by Germaine Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ed/germaine-greer-1521_children_we-can-only-afford-two-children-really-m_1246118.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ed/germaine-greer-1521_children_we-can-only-afford-two-children-really-m_1246118.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ed/germaine-greer-1521_children_we-can-only-afford-two-children-really-m_1246118.jpg) > ““We can only afford two children' really means, 'We only like clean, well-disciplined middle-class children who go to good schools and grow up to be professionals', for children manage to use up all the capital that is made available for the purpose, whatever proportion it may be of the family's whole income, just as housework expands to fill the time available.”” [Germaine Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germaine-greer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques middle‑class expectations that children must fill their time with disciplined, professional‑oriented activities, reflecting societal pressure to use all available resources. **In simple terms:** Society pressures kids to be disciplined and become professionals, using all resources. Key Takeaway Question societal expectations about child development. Themes family class education social pressure Mood critical thoughtful Type analytical reflective When to use this quote - parenting decisions - school choices - budgeting for children - career planning Key Concepts middle‑class norms resource allocation child development Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance freedom and discipline for children? - What alternatives exist to the 'plan B' mindset? A Different Perspective Not all families share these values or resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Feminism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism/) [Good Schools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-schools/) [Middle class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-class/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“We can only afford two children' is a squalid argument, but more acceptable in our society than 'we don't like children'.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germaine-greer/we-can-only-afford-two-children-is-a-squalid-argument-but-more/) [Germaine Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germaine-greer/) > [We in the West do not refrain from childbirth because we are concerned about the population explosion or because we feel we cannot afford…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germaine-greer/we-in-the-west-do-not-refrain-from-childbirth-because-we-are/) [Germaine Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germaine-greer/) > [Having our own children in good schools does not inure us from the ill-effect of others having theirs in poor schools. 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