Nobody Can Have It All, but You Can Learn to Cope | "New Yorker" Writer Ariel Levy | Big Think

TL;DR

Feminism does not promise that women can have everything they want in life, as the human condition entails not getting everything we desire.

Transcript

Well, I mean I think that there's this funny idea that people have, that women have that feminism somehow said that we can have it all. And feminism did not to say that. I think that the thinking that you can have every single thing you want in life is not the thinking of a feminist, it's the thinking of a toddler. And it's not just about women—not... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧔‍♀️ Feminism does not promise that women can have everything they desire.
• 🤲 Some cultures and religions emphasize the acceptance of not getting everything one wants in life.
• 🛟 Pursuing non-traditional female lives can bring fulfillment, but it may also have limitations, such as starting a family later in life.
• 🔇 The speaker challenges the notion that "everything happens for a reason" and highlights the importance of surrendering to reality instead.

Questions & Answers

Q: Does feminism advocate for women to have everything they want in life?

No, feminism does not promise that women can have it all. It recognizes that nobody, regardless of gender, can fulfill every desire in life. Feminism aims to ensure equal rights and opportunities for women.

Q: Are there cultures or religions that emphasize the limitations of human desires?

Yes, there are cultures and religions that impress upon their followers the understanding that nobody can have everything they want in life. They emphasize acceptance and non-attachment as part of the human experience.

Q: What personal experiences does the speaker share regarding pursuing non-traditional female lives?

The speaker, as a writer for The New Yorker, has been able to live the non-traditional life she aspired to. However, she also reflects on the challenges of trying to start a family later in life and the time constraints it brings.

Q: How does the speaker respond to the phrase "everything happens for a reason"?

The speaker finds the phrase "everything happens for a reason" to be an empty sentiment. Instead, she believes that everything happens, but it is up to individuals to find ways to surrender and accept the truth of what has occurred.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Feminism is often misunderstood as promising that women can have it all, but it actually acknowledges that no one, regardless of gender, can have everything they want in life.

• Some cultures and religions emphasize the reality that individuals cannot have everything they desire, but the current societal narrative often neglects this perspective.

• The speaker, as a writer for The New Yorker, has been able to pursue non-traditional female lives she aspired to, but she highlights the limitations and challenges women face when it comes to starting a family later in life.