Parenting Quote by Jennifer Egan
““It wore on Stephanie more than she'd expected, dropping off Chris for kindergarten, waving or smiling at some blond mother releasing blond progeny from her SUV or Hummer, and getting back a pinched, quizzical smile whose translation seemed to be: Who are you again? How could they not know, after months of daily mutual sightings? They were snobs or idiots or both, Stephanie told herself, yet she was inexplicably crushed by their coldness.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Visit from the Goon Squad, Jennifer Egan, 2010
Social exclusion at a school drop‑off triggers feelings of being judged and alienated, exposing insecurities about belonging.
In simple terms: Feeling judged by strangers can crush self‑esteem.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate inner confidence regardless of others' opinions.
Themes
social exclusion
insecurity
class perception
Mood
anxious
sad
reflective
Type
narrative
emotional
When to use this quote
- school drop‑offs
- parent meetings
- social events
Key Concepts
sociology
identity
self‑esteem
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we assume strangers are judging us?
- How can you reframe perceived snobbery?
A Different Perspective
Perceived judgments may be projections, not reality.
