Quote by Ayelet Waldman

Before I was married, I didn't consider my failure to manage even basic hand tools a feminist inadequacy. I thought it had more to do with being Jewish. The Jews I knew growing up didn't do 'do-it-yourself.' When my father needed to hammer something he generally used his shoe, and the only real tool he owned was a pair of needle-nose pliers.


Before I was married, I didn't consider my failure to manage

Summary

In this quote, the speaker reflects on their lack of proficiency in using basic hand tools before they got married. The individual initially attributed this to their Jewish background, as they didn't know any Jews who were skilled in DIY tasks. They humorously mention how their father resorted to using unconventional means like a shoe for hammering and only owning a pair of needle-nose pliers. The quote highlights the intersection of personal experiences, cultural expectations, and gender stereotypes, showing how the speaker's understanding of their own perceived inadequacy evolved over time.

Topics

Failure
By Ayelet Waldman
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