To catch a husband is an art; to hold him is a job

To catch a husband is an art; to hold him is a job

Simone de Beauvoir, a prominent French writer, philosopher, and feminist, once famously said, "To catch a husband is an art; to hold him is a job." This statement encapsulates the complex dynamics of relationships between men and women, particularly in the context of marriage and traditional gender roles.

In de Beauvoir's time, women were often expected to prioritize finding a husband and starting a family over pursuing their own ambitions and goals. The idea of "catching" a husband implies a certain level of strategy and skill, as women were expected to be attractive, charming, and submissive in order to secure a suitable partner. However, de Beauvoir's assertion that holding onto a husband is a job suggests that maintaining a successful marriage requires ongoing effort, communication, and compromise from both parties.

De Beauvoir was a staunch advocate for women's rights and equality, and her statement can be interpreted as a critique of the societal expectations placed on women to fulfill traditional gender roles within marriage. She believed that women should not be defined solely by their relationships with men, but should instead be free to pursue their own passions and interests.