--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This is a strange pocket of the western…" description: "\"This is a strange pocket of the western world where it is still deemed utterly acceptable to take smart, successful women and reduce them to beauty pag..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/hadley-freeman-71627_acceptable_this-is-a-strange-pocket-of-the-western_1634681.jpg" --- # This is a strange pocket of the western world where it is… ![“This is a strange pocket of the western world where it is still deemed utterly acceptable to take smart, successful women and reduce them to beauty pageant contestants,” quote by Hadley Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/hadley-freeman-71627_acceptable_this-is-a-strange-pocket-of-the-western_1634681.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/hadley-freeman-71627_acceptable_this-is-a-strange-pocket-of-the-western_1634681.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/hadley-freeman-71627_acceptable_this-is-a-strange-pocket-of-the-western_1634681.jpg) > “This is a strange pocket of the western world where it is still deemed utterly acceptable to take smart, successful women and reduce them to beauty pageant contestants,” Hadley Freeman ## 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 criticizes a cultural norm that reduces accomplished women to superficial appearances, highlighting gender bias and objectification. **In simple terms:** Women are judged by looks, not achievements. Key Takeaway Challenge stereotypes and value competence. Themes gender bias objectification media representation women's empowerment Mood critical concerned Type analytical commentary When to use this quote - workplace evaluations - media coverage - political discourse - education curricula Key Concepts feminism social critique cultural norms Questions to Reflect On - How does media shape perceptions of successful women? - What steps can reduce superficial judgments? A Different Perspective The statement may overgeneralize and not reflect all contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beauty pageant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty-pageant/) [Feminism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism/) [Pageant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pageant/) [Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Successful women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful-women/) [Western](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western/) [Western world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western-world/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [I wasn't the typical pageant girl - I was a little more nerdy, and they gave me a voice. I created the Queen of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-giraud/i-wasn-t-the-typical-pageant-girl-i-was-a-little-more-nerdy-and-they/) [Joyce Giraud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-giraud/) > [They always say the Miss America Pageant isn't a beauty contest, it's really a scholarship program. If that's the case, why don't we just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/they-always-say-the-miss-america-pageant-isn-t-a-beauty-contest-it-s/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [The cardinal rule for hosting the Miss USA and Miss Universe beauty pageants is to expect the unexpected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-barker/the-cardinal-rule-for-hosting-the-miss-usa-and-miss-universe-beauty/) [Bob Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-barker/) > [I love beauty pageants. I love the idea of representing my country at an international level and being able to meet women from around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priscila-perales/i-love-beauty-pageants-i-love-the-idea-of-representing-my-country-at/) Priscila Perales > [Miss USA is a woman of the new millennium pretty, sexy, intelligent, opinionated, and feels strong about expressing her opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shandi-finnessey/miss-usa-is-a-woman-of-the-new-millennium-pretty-sexy-intelligent/) Shandi Finnessey > [I entered beauty pageants in much the same spirit most people enter politics - with high ideals and ambitions. Similarly, I had to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-ray/i-entered-beauty-pageants-in-much-the-same-spirit-most-people-enter/) Elizabeth Ray > [At the age of 18, I had participated in a beauty pageant. I represented India and won the title. That was my last competition.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/koena-mitra/at-the-age-of-18-i-had-participated-in-a-beauty-pageant-i-represented/) [Koena Mitra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/koena-mitra/) > [Somewhere a woman is praying her toddler wins a beauty pageant. I say this because sometimes people wonder why God lets tornadoes happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-gould/somewhere-a-woman-is-praying-her-toddler-wins-a-beauty-pageant-i-say/) [Dana Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-gould/) > [I do an international beauty pageant called Queen of the Universe for UNESCO, and what we do is we build kindergartens around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-giraud/i-do-an-international-beauty-pageant-called-queen-of-the-universe-for/) [Joyce Giraud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-giraud/) > [I'm only wanted by directors for the image I give off, and it makes me angry. I always wanted to be an actor and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-law/i-m-only-wanted-by-directors-for-the-image-i-give-off-and-it-makes-me/) [Jude Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-law/) > [I consider myself to be blessed. I have a family that is a mix of different religions and different ethnicities. I hope everyone can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rima-fakih/i-consider-myself-to-be-blessed-i-have-a-family-that-is-a-mix-of/) [Rima Fakih](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rima-fakih/) > [Putting your child into a beauty pageant is a disgrace...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/putting-your-child-into-a-beauty-pageant-is-a-disgrace/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you've ever noticed, beauty pageants are a lot like county fairs. The farmers show the cows the same way. They walk their prized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-argov/if-you-ve-ever-noticed-beauty-pageants-are-a-lot-like-county-fairs/) [Sherry Argov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-argov/) > [Just about every town in Texas has a beauty pageant. Ours was called The Dogwood Fiesta. I was in one of those. I played…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sissy-spacek/just-about-every-town-in-texas-has-a-beauty-pageant-ours-was-called/) [Sissy Spacek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sissy-spacek/) > [I never went in thinking, "You're an African-American woman, so you're never going to win." I was just in career doing beauty pageants for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-grier/i-never-went-in-thinking-you-re-an-african-american-woman-so-you-re/) [Pam Grier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-grier/) ## More by Hadley Freeman > [Logos are the bleating of the insecure, desperate for acceptance by the chronically shallow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadley-freeman/logos-are-the-bleating-of-the-insecure-desperate-for-acceptance-by/) Hadley Freeman > [Make up is generally there to make you look better, not make you look like you're wearing make up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadley-freeman/make-up-is-generally-there-to-make-you-look-better-not-make-you-look/) Hadley Freeman > [Pubic hair is proof of sexual maturity and if your partner finds that a turn-off, you should probably reconsider that partner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadley-freeman/pubic-hair-is-proof-of-sexual-maturity-and-if-your-partner-finds-that/) Hadley Freeman Explore all 4 Hadley Freeman quotes ## More Acceptable quotes > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [I remember being a kid and seeing the 'National Inquirer' at the grocery store checkout line. When somebody actually picked up a copy, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-jones/i-remember-being-a-kid-and-seeing-the-national-inquirer-at-the/) [Rashida Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-jones/) > [Finally, the scariest thing about abuse of any shape or form, is, in my opinion, not the abuse itself, but that if it continues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cumming/finally-the-scariest-thing-about-abuse-of-any-shape-or-form-is-in-my/) [Alan Cumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cumming/) > [You cannot have 300-some million Americans - and really, right, the global citizenry be at risk of having their phone conversations intercepted with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/you-cannot-have-300-some-million-americans-and-really-right-the/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [THE REAL PURPOSE OF HOLOCAUST REVISIONISM IS TO MAKE NATIONAL SOCIALISM AN ACCEPTABLE POLITICAL ALTERNATIVE AGAIN.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-covington/the-real-purpose-of-holocaust-revisionism-is-to-make-national/) Harold Covington > [The government has once again made the right socially acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elfriede-jelinek/the-government-has-once-again-made-the-right-socially-acceptable/) [Elfriede Jelinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elfriede-jelinek/) > [The study of Freemasonry is the study of man as a candidate for a blessed eternity. It furnishes examples of holy living, and displays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-howard-taft/the-study-of-freemasonry-is-the-study-of-man-as-a-candidate-for-a/) [William Howard Taft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-howard-taft/) > [Or why it is acceptable to train fast runners and high jumpers but not to breed them. I can think of some answers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/or-why-it-is-acceptable-to-train-fast-runners-and-high-jumpers-but/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [As the future is never known with certainty, the evaluation of the prospective benefits requires the formation of expectations. An acceptable house, partner or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-t-mortensen/as-the-future-is-never-known-with-certainty-the-evaluation-of-the/) [Dale T. Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-t-mortensen/) > [If a man is pictured chopping off a woman's breast, it only gets an R rating; but if, God forbid, a man is pictured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-struthers/if-a-man-is-pictured-chopping-off-a-woman-s-breast-it-only-gets-an-r/) Sally Struthers > [We cannot guess the outcome of our actions... Which is why our actions must always be acceptable in themselves, and not as strategies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-heilbrun/we-cannot-guess-the-outcome-of-our-actions-which-is-why-our-actions/) [Carolyn Heilbrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-heilbrun/) > [In any case, open-seat presidential elections like 2008 just are different in character from incumbent reelects, and I think that's the most important thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kristol/in-any-case-open-seat-presidential-elections-like-2008-just-are/) [William Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kristol/) > [It's horrible how money and fame can make you acceptable while, if you're not famous or rich, you're not acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-tonioli/it-s-horrible-how-money-and-fame-can-make-you-acceptable-while-if-you/) [Bruno Tonioli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-tonioli/) > [I disagree with the prevailing point of view of some black leaders that special treatment for blacks is acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-thomas/i-disagree-with-the-prevailing-point-of-view-of-some-black-leaders/) [Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-thomas/) > [We get used to a certain kind of colour of form or format, and it's acceptable. And to puncture that is sticking your neck…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-krasner/we-get-used-to-a-certain-kind-of-colour-of-form-or-format-and-it-s/) [Lee Krasner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-krasner/) Browse all 750 Acceptable quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "This is a strange pocket of the western world where it is still deemed utterly acceptable to take smart, successful women and reduce them to beauty pageant contestants,", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hadley Freeman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadley-freeman/this-is-a-strange-pocket-of-the-western-world-where-it-is-still/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acceptable" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadley-freeman/this-is-a-strange-pocket-of-the-western-world-where-it-is-still/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/hadley-freeman-71627_acceptable_this-is-a-strange-pocket-of-the-western_1634681.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/hadley-freeman-71627_acceptable_this-is-a-strange-pocket-of-the-western_1634681.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/hadley-freeman-71627_acceptable_this-is-a-strange-pocket-of-the-western_1634681.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“This is a strange pocket of the western world where it is still deemed utterly acceptable to take smart…” — Hadley Freeman", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Hadley Freeman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hadley-freeman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "This is a strange pocket of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadley-freeman/this-is-a-strange-pocket-of-the-western-world-where-it-is-still/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadley-freeman/this-is-a-strange-pocket-of-the-western-world-where-it-is-still/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```