You know the old adage: Plant an expectation, reap a disappointment.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
I feel like there are women who are genuinely born to be mothers, and women who are born to be aunties, and women who really probably not should be allowed near children. The tragedy that happens is when any one of those women ends up in the wrong category.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the different roles women can have in family dynamics, emphasizing the importance of placing individuals in the right roles for optimal relationships.
In this quote, Elizabeth Gilbert observes that women can have different innate roles in family life, such as being nurturing mothers, supportive aunts, or, conversely, individuals who may not connect well with children. The tragedy occurs when someone is placed in a role that doesn't suit them, leading to disappointment for both the individual and the children involved. This highlights the need for understanding and respecting individual differences in caregiving capacities.
Themes
MotherhoodRolesFamilyChildrenRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
During a family gathering, discussing the different roles women play in children's lives.
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But never again use another person's body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilling yearnings.
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