Believe Quote by Simone de Beauvoir
“Men create their own gods and thus have some slight understanding that they are self-fabricated. Women are much more susceptible, because they are completely oppressed by men; they take men at their word and believe in the gods that men have made up. The situation of women, their culture, makes them kneel more often before the gods that have been created by men than men themselves do, who know what they've done. To this extent, women will be more fanatical, whether it is for fascism or for totalitarianism.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Second Sex, Simone de Beauvoir, 1949
Women are shaped by patriarchal narratives, leading them to accept male‑created ideologies more readily than men, who recognize their own role in constructing those beliefs.
In simple terms: Women often accept male‑made ideas because they are oppressed.
Key Takeaway
Question and challenge imposed narratives.
Themes
gender
power
oppression
belief
fanaticism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- activism
- education
- media literacy
- political engagement
Key Concepts
patriarchy
social construction
identity formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize and resist imposed beliefs?
- What role can men play in dismantling patriarchal myths?
A Different Perspective
Men also benefit from these narratives, so change requires collective effort.
