Accepting Quote by Pearl S. Buck
“The concept of 'Momism' is male nonsense. It is the refuge of a man seeking excuses for his own lack of virility. I have listened to many women in various countries, and I have never found a woman who willingly 'mothers' her husband. The very idea is repulsive to her. She wants to mother the children while they are young, but never their fathers. True, she may be forced into the role of mother by a man's weaknesses and childishness, and then she accepts the role with dignity and patience, or with anger and impatience, but always with a secret, profound sadness unexpressed and inexpressible.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Good Earth, Pearl S. Buck, 1931
The quote critiques the idea that women should mother their husbands, suggesting it stems from men's insecurity and leads to women’s hidden sorrow.
In simple terms: Women shouldn’t be expected to mother their husbands; it reflects men’s weakness.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge gender expectations.
Themes
gender roles
masculinity
female agency
emotional labor
family dynamics
Mood
reflective
critical
empathetic
Type
analytical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- marriage counseling
- workplace gender discussions
- parenting workshops
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
Patriarchal expectations
psychological projection
social conditioning
Questions to Reflect On
- How do cultural norms shape expectations of spousal support?
- What alternatives exist for equitable emotional labor?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook women who genuinely enjoy nurturing partners.
![“Profound sadness is always the result of an unhealthy condition of the body. ... We [should] say, 'I am sad; everything looks black to me; but external events are in no way responsible. It's my body that insists on reasoning. These are the opinions of my stomach.'” quote by Emile Chartier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/150/emile-chartier-26457_black_profound-sadness-is-always-the-result-of_1380029.jpg)
