"Behind every great man is a great woman" What is that saying based on?

Question

And isn't that insulting to gay men who are "great men"?

Or is that implying that all great men had great mothers?

What exactly is that saying supposed to mean? What about great fathers and husbands? No credit?

Its a sexist saying and I'm sure it was first said by a feminist.

Answer 1

This saying has been around for decades and refers to traditional housewives.

It is akin to saying that a wife is "the wind beneath the wings" for her husband.

Basically, it said that a man would not have been able to focus on his career (and make great accomplishments) if he had not had a housewife taking care of him.

It also indirectly said that a woman who wants a successful husband must be a good housewife.

It is clearly not a feminist quote in its original intent and societal context.

However, if you'd like to apply it to today's society.... I would say that "behind every successful person is a great support system."


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To CloudCity: Hopefully, you already know that being openly homo prior to the 1970s was cause for persecution. It still is in many parts of the USA and world. Hence, many homos do not live an openly gay life. Just because your K-12 textbooks and teachers never mentioned the accomplishments of homosexuals does not mean that there were none.

Most got married and put on the public image of being straight. Some still do. (Senator Larry Craig being the latest example. Former CIA chief J. Edgar Hoover being another example. Rock Hudson and hundreds of other Hollywood stars exchange(d) living an openly gay life for fame and fortune.)

Some homos establish themselves in their careers first, and then come out (Ellen, Rosie, kd Lang, Billy Jean King, Martina Navritolova). Even in the 1990s, it was considered controversial and frontpage news. These ladies would not have come out in earlier times. (Well, these ladies would not have had careers in earlier times, hehe. But, that's another topic.)

That said, one very famous openly gay man from years ago was Oscar Wilde. He wrote famous plays and books. (And yes, he was persecuted and sent to prison for being gay.) Another was Tennessee Williams. And, Truman Capote.

Answer 2

It could mean that the man got recognized as being great first and the woman had to take second place. It could also mean that while the woman didnt get the credit her support helped the man to achieve greatness. This saying really doesnt apply anymore in a world where men and women have equal chances at achieving greatness. Perhaps a more up to date saying would be "No one achieves greatness without help from others"

Answer 3

That saying has been around long before being Gay became main stream. Don't take it to heart so bad. What it means and oringinally meant was that men and women need each other. In our true human-animal nature men hunted and women gathered, men faught and women took care of the children so on and so on. Men and women are paired naturally that way. Other wise everyone would be gay! It's not about weither or not the man is a father, husband, gay, straight or whatever. It's just about the how we work together as a species and how men and women need each other. We are bonded! Thats why we take partners- we are a team. Thats how I view my marrige - a team! My husband is my leader, i trust him whole heartedly and I am his support and he trusts me the same way. We each have our own role.

Answer 4

I believe it. In my answer to the last question I jokingly put (puppetmasters) beside it, but it is really true.

Presidents, Kings, Business Moguls... I think it usually refers to wife but you are right, it can mean mother.

I don't really find it that sexist. I take it to mean that a pair of adults (usually husband and wife) do better in life than a single person.

Edit: I think you guys are the ones being sensitive now. Can you honestly say (with a straight face) that you have never known a powerful man who succeeded (in part) due to his wife? If you say no I'll say BS! You are right that the 'every' should be taken out because that does imply that he could not do it on his own.

In the time before now when women COULD NOT be in power positions, they found ways to gain power by using their man as the figurehead. Take it as you like -I mean no offense- but give me a break. You guys sound like the feminists.

Answer 5

Its outdated and had nothing to do with people who might be gay...

Incidentally... who are these historically great gay men ? I'm not aware of anyone that was openly gay who has accomplished anything that truly changed the world ? (and improving gay rights doesn't count, if you're gay... that would be like declaring me a great man for getting myself a payraise adn more vacation time. Its hardly anything great when its for personal gain).

I'm just curious... never heard of any...

Answer 6

It's not sexist. The idea behind the saying is that truly great men who have accomplished great things have had the support of a great woman.

I take that back... it could be construed as having a sexist agenda (promoting women to 'shut up and be supportive' of their man), but, I think the connotation in modern usage is that it takes two.

I have also heard it as a warning to a guy who has chosen a real leech or whackjob, telling him he needs to select a woman more interested in teamwork.

It could have been an early 'soft delivery' admonishment to women, but I think it is equally important to men, to remind them that they need a good, strong woman, as the other kind will only drag you down.

Brad D... case in point... your friends select their women poorly.

Big ups to all who mentioned teamwork (as opposed to subordination) in their partnerships. In our modern world (perhaps always?) it takes two, together.

Answer 7

That a man greatness can not be from himself alone,but with the works of a woman to take credit from him instead.
Even if they cost him limb or death.
Like N.Simpson,Cleopatras and Heather Mills as many others...,on men like J.Lennon,Julius Caesar,etc.

Answer 8

well one way to look at this is women are always second place. b/c of corse the woman is going to come "behind" the man.

or it cold mean th men are lazy and they need a a wmoan to move them to greatness. like saying if the woman wasn't there pushing her man he may not have made it.

Answer 9

It means their talking about a special lady in their life. Like a spouse, girlfriend. It could mean your mom but It usually means your partner. Meaning that their important in their life and the woman stands by the mans side

Answer 10

Long time ago this notation had come up.This was because the gentleman became a great person.

Because her hebecame a great man.she sacrifed for the sake of the husband .
not what all you are thinking about in many a way.