Adolescence Quote by Simone de Beauvoir
“But I must admit I didn´t like that idea; do the same thing as everyone else. Eating to live, living to eat - that had been the nightmare of my adolescence. If it meant going back to that, if would be just as well to turn on the gas at once. But I suppose everyone thinks of things like that: let´s turn on the gas at once. And you don´t turn it on.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Feminist Reflections, Simone de Beauvoir, 1975
Rejecting societal norms can feel terrifying, yet it offers freedom from oppressive expectations.
In simple terms: Fear of standing out.
Key Takeaway
Embrace authentic choices.
Themes
identity
rebellion
societal pressure
Mood
thoughtful
provocative
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- personal health
- social activism
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal norms limit you?
- How can you balance conformity and authenticity?
A Different Perspective
Breaking norms may lead to isolation or backlash.
![“I remember realizing, when I did Little Women [1994], that that was the only time girls that age were being written about. It was always boys - from David Copperfield to Lord of the Flies to Holden Caulfield. There were never young women going through adolescence or teen years; there were only…” quote by Winona Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/666/winona-ryder-1469_adolescence_i-remember-realizing-when-i-did-little-w_41784.jpg)