Full Idea
Women are often treated as passive dependents, creatures to be cared for (or not), rather than as independent human beings deserving respect for their choices. In other words they are often infantilized.
Gist of Idea
Women are often treated like children, and not respected for their choices
Source
Martha Nussbaum (Creating Capabilities [2011], 3)
Book Reference
Nussbaum,Martha C.: 'Creating Capabilities' [Belknap Harvard 2013], p.56
A Reaction
Her prime example is from India, but you see the same thing in more subtle forms in the UK, especially among older people, and especially in art galleries.