Malala is a Pakistani activist, blogger, and writer fighting for women’s rights, particularly the education of young girls. She got numerous death threats and in 2009, there was an assassination attempt to take her life. This drew global attention to the problems at hand and increased awareness that millions of children around the world are denied an education because of many factors.
Parents are deeply inspired by the stories of Malala and the way she has changed the world. So, here are 5 things Malala can teach us about raising girls.
1. Don’t clip their wings
- When Malala’s dad, Ziauddin Yousafzai, was asked why she’s so amazing, his response was, “I didn’t clip her wings.” By asking questions such as: How can we hold them back? How are we motivating them? How does a “don’t make your dress dirty” comment change the way they view themselves? We have to let them soar instead of cutting their wings.
2. Education is everything
- We need to encourage our daughters to love education and appreciate it. They should be taught how to do their best and value the opportunity that millions around the world are stolen from.
- Since schooling is largely accessible in many regions of the world, we see kids using the phrase “I hate school” as their daily mantra. It’s important that we see education with new eyes as there is so much value in it. As Malala’s dad says, “You give a girl an education and she will do the rest herself.”
3. Dads can be feminists, too
- We want dads to advocate for women’s rights and to show girls they’re just as smart and deserving as guys. We have to raise boys to accept and appreciate women. We live in a golden age that has the potential to change the world for women.
4. It’s a hard knock life
- It’s real that it is indeed worth the fight, but it’s also tough. Malala suffered a bullet to the head. But rather of stepping aside or giving in to those who wanted her dead, she used their attack to further fuel her passion. We must teach our girls how to get up again after they fall down, to use the negative voices that surround them to further propel them into their cause.
5. Girls can change the world
- Malala is a teenager in a world where women and girls are being exploited and abused by those who don’t respect them a bit. If she is able to change the world, then anyone can. It’s important to teach the girls they can create a difference in this world too, no matter their age or class, ethnicity, or religion. Their voice is valuable and powerful, and they deserve to be heard.
Reference: https://mom.com/entertainment/15290-5-things-malala-yousafzai-can-teach-us-about-raising-girls/
