The Second Sex

For Beauvoir, the indoctrination of girls into femininity begins at an early age: “One is not born, but rather becomes, woman” (283). This change begins when girls are four years old. Boys start to be separated from their mothers, while girls continue to be doted on by their parents. However, this is because boys are meant to go out one day and make their own path in society. Further, Beauvoir argues that girls begin to see their differences from boys when they notice the difference in genitalia, particularly the ability of boys to control their urination in a way girls cannot.

Beauvoir rejects the psychoanalytical theory that girls envy boys for having a penis. However, Beauvoir theorizes that girls at first believe they were mutilated and resent their parents, especially their mother. As girls grow older, these early impressions are solidified as girls imitate their mothers and mothers try to teach girls into becoming “true” women. Meanwhile, the boys in their lives treat them with disdain, and their fathers become like “God” (301).

During their formal education, girls learn a version of history in which most of the major figures are men. At home, they read and hear fairy tales and are brought up in their parents’ religion, which encourage passive gender roles.