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Women have somehow been separated from their libido, from their faculty of desire, from their sexuality. They've become suspicious about it. Like beasts, for example, who are castrated in farming in order to serve their master's ulterior motives - to be fattened or made docile - women have been cut off from their capacity for action. It's a process that sacrifices vigour for delicacy and succulence, and one that's got to be changed.

Germaine Greer#1

SexualityFeminismAgencyLiberation

About this quote

What does it mean?
Greer claims women have been separated from their desire and capacity for action similar to castrated animals.
In plain terms
Women have been cut off from their desire and power like animals are.
What can you take from it?
Restoring female agency and desire is necessary.

Where it applies

  • social critique
  • gender studies
  • personal empowerment

Putting it to work

  • challenging gender norms
  • encouraging autonomy

Questions to consider

  • How is female desire limited?
  • What does liberation look like?

Another view

The analogy is controversial and may alienate some readers.

More from Germaine Greer

  1. The term eunuchs was used by Eldridge Cleaver to describe blacks. It occurred to me that women were in a somewhat similar position. Blacks had been emancipated…

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  2. Human beings have an inalienable right to invent themselves; when that right is pre-empted it is called brain-washing.

    Permalink to quote #3
  3. Freedom is fragile and must be protected. To sacrifice it, even as a temporary measure, is to betray it.

    Permalink to quote #4

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