Women are the only exploited group in history to have been idealized into powerlessness.

Erica Jong’s quote, "Women are the only exploited group in history to have been idealized into powerlessness," speaks to the unique and contradictory role women have played in societal systems throughout history. Jong argues that women have been both oppressed and idealized by society, often placed on a pedestal as symbols of purity, virtue, and nurturing, while simultaneously being denied true power and agency. This idealization turns them into passive figures, revered for their roles in the domestic sphere but restricted from participating fully in public, economic, and political life.

The statement highlights how society has historically elevated certain aspects of womanhood, such as motherhood or femininity, while ignoring or downplaying women’s ability to take on positions of true authority. By idealizing women as self-sacrificing and pure, society places them in a position where their power is limited to the private and domestic realm. As a result, women have often been kept from exercising economic, political, or social power despite the fact that they were exploited in many contexts, whether in the home, the workplace, or the broader structures of society.

Jong’s quote is deeply rooted in feminist theory, which critiques how cultural narratives and social structures work together to marginalize women. It also points to the tension between the way women are celebrated in the abstract (as ideal mothers or figures of beauty) and the way they are restricted in practice. The term "idealized into powerlessness" suggests that these societal ideals are not empowering, but serve to reinforce women’s dependency and subordinate status.

The origin of this quote lies in Jong’s broader feminist perspective, particularly her work on the intersection of gender, sexuality, and power. Known for her bold, feminist writings like Fear of Flying, Jong often explored themes of female autonomy and the social forces that constrain women. Her statement underscores the complexity of women’s status throughout history, where idealization has often come hand in hand with the denial of real power, both in society and in the political sphere.