Dad Quote by Mona Eltahawy
“In the U.K., my mother had been the breadwinner. I'd seen my parents side by side. In Saudi Arabia, my mother was basically rendered disabled. She was unable to drive, dependent on my dad for everything. The religious zealotry was so suffocating.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, “Women in the Middle East”, 2015
The quote highlights how patriarchal and religious oppression can strip women of autonomy, contrasting differing gender roles across cultures.
In simple terms: Women lose freedom under oppressive religious patriarchy.
Key Takeaway
Challenge restrictive norms.
Themes
gender inequality
patriarchy
religious oppression
women’s rights
Mood
frustrated
determined
hopeful
Type
personal narrative
social commentary
advocational
When to use this quote
- advocacy for women’s empowerment
- policy reform
- education initiatives
- support networks for disabled women
Key Concepts
feminism
social justice
cultural relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance tradition with gender equality?
- What steps can individuals take to support women in restrictive environments?
A Different Perspective
Cultural differences can be complex; not all societies fit a single narrative.
![“It was entirely due to my mother [a devout Buddhist] and her kindness and perseverance that the family was saved from utter ruin. For a period of 17 years--from the age of 9 until I was 25 years old--my mother never spent a day free from domestic difficulties.” quote by Chiang Kai-shek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/695/chiang-kai-shek-11937_age_it-was-entirely-due-to-my-mother-a-devou_1048783.jpg)
