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.”
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.
Consider how personal circumstances shape moral judgments.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- ethical debates
- parenting choices
- career planning
- social expectations
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Does having children change one's moral perspective?
- How do personal experiences shape ethical views?
The argument may overlook that many childfree people still value children in society.