What is sad for women of my generation is that they weren't supposed to work if they had families. What were they going to do when the children are grown - watch the raindrops coming down the window pane?

Jackie Kennedy’s quote, "What is sad for women of my generation is that they weren't supposed to work if they had families. What were they going to do when the children are grown - watch the raindrops coming down the window pane?" reflects her frustration with the societal expectations placed on women during her generation. She highlights the limited roles women were expected to fill, particularly the expectation that they should choose between working and caring for families. Kennedy's remark suggests that many women of her time were left with few opportunities or pursuits once their children grew up and they no longer had primary caregiving responsibilities.

The quote also sheds light on the gender roles and societal pressures that women faced, particularly in the mid-20th century. Women were often expected to prioritize family and domestic life over their professional ambitions. As a result, when their children became independent, these women found themselves with little direction or purpose, as society did not encourage them to have careers or pursue their own personal goals beyond motherhood. Kennedy uses the image of "watching the raindrops coming down the window pane" as a metaphor for the sense of emptiness and inactivity that many women felt once their role as caregivers was no longer central.

Jackie Kennedy, as the First Lady of the United States, was known for her grace and elegance, but she also recognized the changing expectations for women in her time. Her quote reflects a growing awareness of the struggles that many women faced when they sought to balance family life and work. It also speaks to the broader societal shift that was beginning to take place, where women began to demand more opportunities for personal and professional fulfillment beyond the traditional roles of wife and mother.

In essence, Kennedy’s quote emphasizes the limitations placed on women in her generation, particularly regarding their ability to work outside the home while managing families. It critiques the narrow expectations for women and suggests that, when those expectations were no longer relevant, many women were left without clear direction. The quote highlights the importance of offering women the freedom to pursue both career and family, without being restricted by outdated societal norms.