---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That’s how we both got committed to this…"
description: "\"“That’s how we both got committed to this enormous delusion—because that’s what it is, an enormous, obscene delusion—this idea that people have to resi..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a62/richard-yates-2840_delusion_that-s-how-we-both-got-committed-to-this_1994755.png"
---

#  That’s how we both got committed to this enormous…

![“That’s how we both got committed to this enormous delusion—because that’s what it is, an enormous, obscene delusion—this idea that people have to resign from real life and ‘settle down’ when they have families.” quote by Richard Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a62/richard-yates-2840_delusion_that-s-how-we-both-got-committed-to-this_1994755.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a62/richard-yates-2840_delusion_that-s-how-we-both-got-committed-to-this_1994755.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a62/richard-yates-2840_delusion_that-s-how-we-both-got-committed-to-this_1994755.png)

> ““That’s how we both got committed to this enormous delusion—because that’s what it is, an enormous, obscene delusion—this idea that people have to resign from real life and ‘settle down’ when they have families.””

[Richard Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-yates/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Societal expectations push people into conventional family life, which can feel like a false, oppressive illusion.

**In simple terms:** People feel forced into family life as a delusion.

Key Takeaway

Question expectations, seek authentic fulfillment.

Themes

conformity family illusion

Mood

reflective critical

Type

philosophical social commentary

When to use this quote

- career choices
- relationship decisions
- parenting
- life planning

Key Concepts

social pressure identity authenticity

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you feel societal pressure to settle?
- How can you honor personal values while meeting expectations?

A Different Perspective

Not all families are oppressive; some find deep meaning.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Delusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delusion/) [Delusion Enormous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delusion-enormous-3478190/) [Delusion Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delusion-idea-1830447/) [Enormous Delusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enormous-delusion-3478189/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Obscene Delusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obscene-delusion-3478191/) [Real life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-life/)

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## More by Richard Yates

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> [Getting rid of a delusion makes us wiser than getting hold of a truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-borne/getting-rid-of-a-delusion-makes-us-wiser-than-getting-hold-of-a-truth/)

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