“I have noticed… that men usually leave married women alone and are inclined to treat all wives with respect. This is no great credit to married women.”
- June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962
- American
- Actress, Singer, Model, Pop Culture Icon
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Quote
“I have noticed… that men usually leave married women alone and are inclined to treat all wives with respect. This is no great credit to married women.”
Explanation
In this quote, Marilyn Monroe offers a sharp and candid observation on how societal norms shape male behavior toward women, particularly in relation to marital status. She points out that men tend to treat wives with more respect, not necessarily because of the women themselves, but because of what marriage represents—a social boundary established by another man’s claim. Her final remark, “This is no great credit to married women,” underscores the unsettling idea that respect is not being given for the woman’s character, but for her status as ‘belonging’ to someone else.
Monroe’s insight reflects the gender dynamics and possessive undertones of mid-20th century norms, where marriage could act as a kind of shield from unwanted attention. As someone who was frequently objectified and pursued, Monroe would have experienced the difference in how society treated single versus married women. Her comment highlights a subtle form of misogyny—where a woman’s treatment is dictated not by her personhood, but by her relationship to a man.
Even today, the quote invites us to question how respect for women is framed in different social contexts. Are women treated well because they are seen as individuals with autonomy, or because of external associations, such as marriage or motherhood? Monroe’s words challenge us to reconsider the roots of respect and to advocate for a world where it is granted based on dignity and humanity, not possession or social labels.
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