--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For many women,’ she said, ‘having a…" description: "\"“For many women,’ she said, ‘having a child is their central experience of creativity, and yet the child will never remain a created object; unless,’ s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/rachel-cusk-3482_children_for-many-women-she-said-having-a-child-i_1989277.jpg" --- # For many women,’ she said, ‘having a child is their… ![“For many women,’ she said, ‘having a child is their central experience of creativity, and yet the child will never remain a created object; unless,’ she said, ‘the mother’s sacrifice of herself is absolute, which mine never could have been, and which no woman’s ought to be these days.” quote by Rachel Cusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/rachel-cusk-3482_children_for-many-women-she-said-having-a-child-i_1989277.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/rachel-cusk-3482_children_for-many-women-she-said-having-a-child-i_1989277.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/rachel-cusk-3482_children_for-many-women-she-said-having-a-child-i_1989277.jpg) > ““For many women,’ she said, ‘having a child is their central experience of creativity, and yet the child will never remain a created object; unless,’ she said, ‘the mother’s sacrifice of herself is absolute, which mine never could have been, and which no woman’s ought to be these days.”” [Rachel Cusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cusk/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Motherhood is portrayed as a profound creative act that demands total self‑sacrifice, yet such absolute sacrifice is unattainable and undesirable today. **In simple terms:** Motherhood is a deep creative act that shouldn’t require total self‑loss. Key Takeaway Recognize creative value of motherhood without demanding total self‑erase. Themes creativity motherhood identity self‑sacrifice Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - parenting - career planning - personal boundaries - social expectations Key Concepts feminist literature existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How can mothers honor creativity without losing themselves? - What societal pressures shape expectations of maternal sacrifice? A Different Perspective Absolute self‑sacrifice is impossible and can harm personal well‑being. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) ## Related quotes > [You can be an absolute woman and also be smart and tough and not lose your femininity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyanka-chopra/you-can-be-an-absolute-woman-and-also-be-smart-and-tough-and-not-lose/) [Priyanka Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyanka-chopra/) > [As a mother I had to sacrifice a lot due to the pressing demands of my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rituparna-sengupta/as-a-mother-i-had-to-sacrifice-a-lot-due-to-the-pressing-demands-of/) [Rituparna Sengupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rituparna-sengupta/) > [Tereza's mother never stopped reminding her that being a mother meant sacrificing everything. 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