Parenting Perspective 

When children observe cultural practices that treat daughters unfairly, such as giving them fewer opportunities or less respect than sons, it can create deep confusion. Children have a natural expectation of fairness from the adults around them, and when they witness this kind of bias, they can feel betrayed or even unsafe within their own family or community. 

Creating Emotional Hurt and Confusion 

An environment of gender bias is emotionally damaging for all children. It teaches them that a person’s worth is tied to their gender, which is a confusing and harmful message that contradicts their innate sense of justice. 

The Damage to a Girl’s Self-Worth 

Girls who either experience or witness this bias often internalise the belief that they are less valuable than their brothers. This can weaken their confidence, limit their ambition, and leave them doubting their own abilities. Such unfairness can also create resentment towards their family or their own identity, leaving emotional scars that can last a lifetime. 

Fostering Harmful Attitudes in Boys 

Boys who are exposed to this imbalance may grow up believing that a sense of superiority is their natural right. This entitlement undermines the development of humility and compassion, which can lead to unhealthy and disrespectful relationships with women later in life. It also robs them of the chance to learn about shared responsibility. 

The Risk of Family Division 

Children may grow resentful of parents who allow these unfair practices to continue. Over time, this can create rifts between siblings and weaken family unity. The lesson children absorb is that tradition, rather than fairness and love, defines a person’s worth. 

Supporting Equality in the Home 

Parents can correct these harms by actively modelling fairness and respect. Giving equal opportunities to sons and daughters, praising both for their unique strengths, and explaining why certain cultural biases are un-Islamic helps children to develop moral clarity. Celebrating the dignity of daughters openly ensures they feel valued, while also teaching sons to respect and honour their sisters. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam came to restore the dignity of women and establish justice between the genders. Cultural practices that favour sons over daughters are a remnant of pre-Islamic ignorance (jāhiliyyah) and have no place in a Muslim household. These practices contradict the spirit of fairness and mercy that is at the heart of the faith. 

A Quranic Reminder on Equal Honour 

The Quran makes it clear that in the sight of Allah, men and women are judged and rewarded equally based on their righteousness, not their gender. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Nahal (16), Verse 97: 

‘ Whoever undertakes virtuous actions – whether a male or female – and is of Muslim faith; We (Allah Almighty) shall surely sustain him with a life of purity; and We shall certainly reward them with recompense which befits the best of their actions.‘ 

This verse affirms that men and women are equally honoured for their deeds, removing any justification for unfair cultural biases. 

The Prophetic Teaching on Valuing Daughters 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ completely overturned the cultural practice of devaluing daughters, teaching that raising them with love and patience is a path to salvation. 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 3669, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Whoever has three daughters and is patient with them, clothes them, and provides for them, they will be a shield for him from the Fire.’ 

This hadith elevates the status of daughters, showing that caring for them with kindness brings an immense reward. 

Restoring a Child’s Faith in Justice 

By grounding children in these teachings, parents can show them that Islam rejects cultural biases and celebrates both sons and daughters as blessings from Allah. This gives children the reassurance that fairness and dignity are divine values, helping them to grow with a balanced sense of confidence, compassion, and mutual respect.