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Age Quote by Mary Wollstonecraft

“Men and women must be educated, in a great degree, by the opinions and manners of the society they live in. In every age there has been a stream of popular opinion that has carried all before it, and given a family character, as it were, to the century. It may then fairly be inferred, that, till…” quote by Mary Wollstonecraft
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“Men and women must be educated, in a great degree, by the opinions and manners of the society they live in. In every age there has been a stream of popular opinion that has carried all before it, and given a family character, as it were, to the century. It may then fairly be inferred, that, till society be differently constituted, much cannot be expected from education.”

Mary Wollstonecraft

About This Quote

Source Book: A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, 1792

Society’s prevailing attitudes shape education, limiting its effectiveness unless social structures change.

In simple terms: Education is limited by societal norms.

Key Takeaway

Seek broader social reform to improve education.

Themes

education society culture gender reform

Mood

reflective critical

Type

philosophical analytical

When to use this quote

  • school curricula
  • public policy
  • family upbringing
  • media representation

Key Concepts

social conditioning institutional influence gender roles

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can individuals challenge dominant cultural norms?
  • What reforms can break the cycle of societal influence on education?
A Different Perspective

Changing deep‑rooted societal views is slow and contested.

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