Is 'choice' a trap for women's liberation? Simone de Beauvoir thought so.

Added: 2026-04-29

[00:00:00]sure about that. I'm not so sure because there's a famous debate between Betty Friedan, who was the prominent American feminist, and Simone de Beauvoir, one of the most famous feminists of the 20th century. It was in 1975, and Betty Friedan said what you said. She said, "Look, I think we should give women a choice. They Maybe they want to go out into the workplace, or maybe they want to stay home and raise their kids, but they should have a choice." And Simone de Beauvoir, who was a more consistent and intelligent feminist, said, "There can't be a choice. And the reason there can't be a choice is that if given the choice most women would stay at home.

[00:00:31]And if most women stay at home, women will not be free. If we want true women's liberation, women must be forced to be free." And Friedan recoiled from this cuz she knew it wasn't going to play well in Peoria, but Simone de Beauvoir had had the right point, and I think the the more consistent feminists have agreed with her.

[00:00:47]>> know.