Advantage Quote by Hilary Thayer Hamann
““It was frankly sort of confusing, the way everyone stared at our bodies exactly as they tried to erase the ideas of our bodies from our minds. We were supposed to get over ourselves but no one was supposed to get over us. The female body was our worst handicap and our best advantage -- the surest means to success, the surest course to failure. (p. 72)””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Outward Sun by Hilary Thayer Hamann, 1995
Societal pressures force individuals to suppress personal identity, especially regarding gender, creating both obstacles and opportunities.
In simple terms: Society pushes us to hide our true selves, especially as women, which can hinder or help us.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and balance the dual nature of gendered expectations.
Themes
identity
gender
societal pressure
self‑acceptance
Mood
reflective
critical
empowering
Type
analytical
motivational
When to use this quote
- workplace
- media representation
- personal relationships
- activism
Key Concepts
feminist critique
psychology
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you navigate gender expectations in your life?
- What strategies turn perceived disadvantages into strengths?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overgeneralize women's experiences, ignoring intersectionality.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
