Navigating relationships is one of the hardest parts of being a feminist. Most dating conventions were not created with feminism in mind, leaving us to make up new ones as we go along. But fortunately, we don't have to do that alone: There are some awesome feminist quotes about relationships to guide us.
Feminism is largely a movement about redefining relationships. After all, it's about forming respectful, equal relationships with everyone, regardless of their gender, their race, their sexuality, or anything else about them. In addition, it means rejecting paradigms for romantic relationships that put one person above the other or make two people complementary. For that matter, it's about rejecting all paradigms for relationships and just telling everyone "you do you."
"Doing you" is often easier said than done, though, especially in a world that teaches us only certain people's desires matter. But many people have rejected this teaching and done things their own way. Here are some feminist quotes that will inspire you to advocate for yourself and the relationships you want.
1. “When we are self-loving, our growing contentment and personal power sustains us when we are rejected or punished for refusing to follow conventional sexist rules."
— bell hooks, Author and Scholar
2. “Far too many people are looking for the right person, instead of trying to be the right person.”
— Gloria Steinem, Feminist Activist and Writer
3. "'Easy': Is there, we wonder, some virtue in being difficult?"
— Dossie Easton and Catherine Liszt, authors ofThe Ethical Slut
4. “I am too intelligent, too demanding, and too resourceful for anyone to be able to take charge of me entirely. No one knows me or loves me completely. I have only myself”
— Simone de Beauvoir, Philosopher
5. "The most important career choice you'll make is who you marry. I have an awesome husband, and we're 50/50."
— Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook
6. “Abandon the cultural myth that all female friendships must be bitchy, toxic, or competitive. This myth is like heels and purses―pretty but designed to SLOW women down.”
— Roxane Gay, Academic and Author
Images: Alex Lozupone (Tduk)/Wikimedia Commons
