“I have never cared especially for outdoor sports and have no desire to excel at tennis, swimming, or golf. I’ll leave those things to the men.”

- June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962
- American
- Actress, Singer, Model, Pop Culture Icon
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Quote
“I have never cared especially for outdoor sports and have no desire to excel at tennis, swimming, or golf. I’ll leave those things to the men.”
Explanation
In this quote, Marilyn Monroe offers a candid and somewhat humorous perspective on traditional gender roles and personal preferences, particularly in the realm of sports. By stating her disinterest in tennis, swimming, or golf, and concluding with “I’ll leave those things to the men,” she aligns herself with a more traditionally feminine image—one that eschews competition and physicality for other forms of expression or identity.
However, Monroe’s tone suggests not submission, but rather self-assured acceptance of her own inclinations. She isn’t rejecting sports out of inferiority, but declaring comfort in defining her interests on her own terms. In a time when femininity was often narrowly prescribed, her statement plays with expectations—it’s both a reinforcement of stereotype and a subtle claim to autonomy: she knows who she is and what she enjoys, and feels no need to conform.
Today, this quote may feel outdated in its gender framing, yet it remains relevant as a reminder that individual preferences shouldn’t have to be justified or corrected to match societal trends. Monroe’s honesty about her lack of interest in certain pursuits underscores a broader truth: empowerment lies not in doing what others expect, but in confidently choosing what aligns with one’s own nature.
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