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Believe Quote by Zadie Smith

“I always remind myself that [ Jean-Paul] Sartre and [Simone] de Beauvoir didn't have children. And when you don't have children, it might be easier to believe that the child doesn't come with something.” quote by Zadie Smith
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“I always remind myself that [ Jean-Paul] Sartre and [Simone] de Beauvoir didn't have children. And when you don't have children, it might be easier to believe that the child doesn't come with something.”

Zadie Smith

About This Quote

Source Interview: The New Yorker, Zadie Smith, 2015

She highlights how childfree philosophers can more easily detach from personal bias, suggesting that lack of children may free one from seeing children as a moral imperative.

In simple terms: Childfree status can reduce bias toward seeing children as essential.

Key Takeaway

Consider how personal circumstances shape moral judgments.

Themes

bias philosophy parenthood identity detachment

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

essay philosophical

When to use this quote

  • ethical debates
  • parenting choices
  • career planning
  • social expectations

Key Concepts

existentialism ethical relativism personal narrative

Questions to Reflect On

  • Does having children change one's moral perspective?
  • How do personal experiences shape ethical views?
A Different Perspective

The argument may overlook that many childfree people still value children in society.

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