In relation to gender roles, what does this quote mean?

Question

"Freedom isn't the right to do whatever you want, it's the ability to do as you should."

I think it's possibly of religious origin...

Answer 1

I'd say it's pro-gender-roles; the speaker is not extreme enough to believe that gender roles should be forced upon people (ex; women working should be illegal or that men should be forced to work), but thinks that the "right" choice is to conform to society's gender roles.

Answer 2

it means that even though your able to do what you want you should still do whats right

Answer 3

"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose"

Answer 4

it sounds like somthing men tell women to try to keep us doing wat they want an not complain....

Answer 5

I think it means that women and men should treat each other with courtesy and kindness and just because you have a really bad divorce or experience with someone don't blame the entire male or female gender.

Answer 6

I think it is

"Freedom is the right to do as you wish, so long as it does not harm others' ability to exercise their right to do as they wish"

Which translates to, do what you want as long as you don't hurt others in the process.

That may be religious in origin.  But, I believe it is also one of the founding principles of the U.S

EDIT:

Perhaps it sounds better as "freedom is whatever floats your boat, if it doesn't sink mine."   Or "don't do something to some one that you would'nt want done to you."

Not gender specific in any way or meant as a way subjigate anyone.   Any who interpret it that way are cynical

.    That basic priniple above is why we have prisons to put people who do things to us we don't want done, (theft, murder, assault, rape, you get the idea).

Why do people automatically jump to the most cynical view of something.

Answer 7

I have always preferred "Your freedom ends where my body begins".  

As I have said before, the lowest common denominator for healthy social relations is respect.  The implications of the statement above are irrespective of gender roles, but have clear implications for the treatment of others of various genders.

However, this quote (or misquote) is OK with me.  It does have a lot of implications though - although free people have the ability to do what they should, freedom certainly allows them to do otherwise, doesn't it?

Answer 8

Abuse does not work. Care for others. That sort of thing.  

Answer 9

Ah, Earwax of Satan John Stuart Mill on liberty, utilitarian philosophies, relativism...

As regards how your quote applies to gender roles one can look at it in the negative sense or the positive. Either women should refrain from going beyond their place and stick to the tried and true roles of helpmate and support or it can be viewed in a moral light, as in we ought to have complete egalitarianism

Answer 10

The phrase has nothing to do with gender roles, it just means that freedom is about being free, inside the rules.

It means that a free person cannot kill or do bad stuff, but can work and have a nice life.

Answer 11

I think it's for whoever decides what people "should" do. Often that is not the person who has this "freedom". I don't think it is gender specific. It's more the rich (who do what they want and decide what others "should" do) as opposed the working class.