To limit someone’s actions or something’s development, or to force someone to do something by restricting their choices.
From Latin *constringere* (via Old French), meaning "to bind tightly" (*con-* "together" + *stringere* "to draw tight"). It originally referred to physical tightening or binding.
Constraints sound negative, but designers and artists often use them as creative fuel. When you can’t do everything, you’re forced to find interesting ways to do something.
Legal, social, and economic systems have constrained women’s and gender minorities’ choices in education, work, property, and movement. Language about ‘constraints’ has sometimes obscured the role of discriminatory laws and norms.
Be specific about what or who is doing the constraining, especially when gendered power structures are involved, rather than treating constraints as natural or neutral.
["limit","restrict","place boundaries on"]
Women’s movements have systematically identified and challenged the constraints embedded in law, custom, and institutional design, expanding autonomy and opportunity.
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