"The average man has a carefully cultivated ignorance about household matters - from what to do with the crumbs to the grocer's telephone number - a sort of cheerful inefficiency which protects him"

In this quote, Crystal Eastman is highlighting the typical tendency for guys to be ignorant about home tasks and duties. She suggests that males typically have a purposeful absence of knowledge about even the most basic home matters, such as how to manage crumbs or the contact number of the grocer. This lack of knowledge is not unexpected, however rather a thoroughly cultivated state that permits guys to avoid taking on these jobs and responsibilities. Eastman describes this as a "pleasant ineffectiveness" that acts as a protective guard for guys, allowing them to prevent the concern of home duties and preserve a sense of superiority.