Bribe Quote by June Jordan
“In the name of motherhood and fatherhood and education and good manners, we threaten and suffocate and bind and ensnare and bribe and trick children into wholesale emulation of our ways.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Mother’s Voice” by June Jordan, 1990
Society imposes rigid expectations on children, using coercion and manipulation to force conformity.
In simple terms: Adults force children to copy them through pressure and tricks.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and resist coercive social conditioning.
Themes
parenting
social pressure
conformity
education
manners
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
advice
observational
When to use this quote
- family upbringing
- school curricula
- media influence
- peer groups
- political rhetoric
Key Concepts
social control
identity formation
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you model authentic behavior for children?
- What alternatives to coercion exist?
A Different Perspective
Coercion can backfire, leading to rebellion or resentment.
