--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If women take their bodies seriously and…" description: "\"If women take their bodies seriously and ideally we should then its full expression, in terms of pleasure, maternity, and physical strength, seems to f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/503/phyllis-chesler-16740_body_if-women-take-their-bodies-seriously-and_1386978.jpg" --- # If women take their bodies seriously and ideally we should… ![“If women take their bodies seriously and ideally we should then its full expression, in terms of pleasure, maternity, and physical strength, seems to fare better when women control the means of production and reproduction. From this point of view, it is simply not in women's interest to support…” quote by Phyllis Chesler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/503/phyllis-chesler-16740_body_if-women-take-their-bodies-seriously-and_1386978.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/503/phyllis-chesler-16740_body_if-women-take-their-bodies-seriously-and_1386978.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/503/phyllis-chesler-16740_body_if-women-take-their-bodies-seriously-and_1386978.jpg) > “If women take their bodies seriously and ideally we should then its full expression, in terms of pleasure, maternity, and physical strength, seems to fare better when women control the means of production and reproduction. From this point of view, it is simply not in women's interest to support patriarchy or even a fabled "equality" with men. That women do so is more a sign of powerlessness than of any biologically based "superior" wisdom.” [Phyllis Chesler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-chesler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Women’s autonomy over bodies and reproduction leads to empowerment; patriarchy undermines true equality. **In simple terms:** Control over bodies empowers women. Key Takeaway Support women's bodily autonomy. Themes gender autonomy power patriarchy Mood determined critical Type activist analytical When to use this quote - healthcare policy - workplace rights - reproductive justice Key Concepts feminism political economy Questions to Reflect On - How can societies support autonomy? - What barriers remain for women? A Different Perspective Complex social factors also affect empowerment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Maternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maternity/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Patriarchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriarchy/) [Physical strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physical-strength/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Point of view](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/point-of-view/) [Powerlessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerlessness/) [Reproduction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reproduction/) [Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support/) ## Related quotes > [The enemy of feminism isn’t men. It’s patriarchy, and patriarchy is not men. 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Ballard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-g-ballard/) ## More by Phyllis Chesler > [Only the powerless live in a money culture and know nothing about money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-chesler/only-the-powerless-live-in-a-money-culture-and-know-nothing-about/) [Phyllis Chesler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-chesler/) > [Ideal mental health, like freedom, exists for one person only if it exists for all people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-chesler/ideal-mental-health-like-freedom-exists-for-one-person-only-if-it/) [Phyllis Chesler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-chesler/) > [If it were natural for father to care for their sons, they would not need so many laws commanding them to do so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-chesler/if-it-were-natural-for-father-to-care-for-their-sons-they-would-not/) [Phyllis Chesler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-chesler/) > [“It is impossible for a Westerner to imagine the deadening torpor of a protected life under house arrest. 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