This statement emphasizes that no person should be treated as an object or used by another, regardless of gender. It advocates for a relationship built on mutual respect and equality, where individuals are valued for themselves, not for what they can provide.
Quote by Betty Friedan: “Man is not to be a tool for woman, nor woman a tool for man.”
Man is not to be a tool for woman, nor woman a tool for man.
Insight
Historical Context
Entering the 1980s, Friedan, while still advocating for women's rights, reflected on how feminism could evolve to promote true equality and partnership, moving beyond a battle of the sexes towards mutual respect.
About the Author
American feminist writer and activist whose 1963 book The Feminine Mystique is widely credited with sparking second-wave feminism in the United States by articulating the widespread dissatisfaction of educated American women confined to domestic roles. She co-founded the National Organization for Women in 1966.
View all quotes by Betty Friedan