Ashiq Hussain
Is our society truly happy to welcome a baby girl, or do people merely express their happiness through words while their hearts hold a different sentiment? People often say that the birth of a girl child is a blessing, but do they genuinely believe it? Are daughters welcomed with the same enthusiasm, pride, and happiness as sons, or is their welcome limited to a few congratulatory words?
Recently, I was blessed with a baby girl, and it was an even more special moment for me because my first child was also a daughter. People congratulated me and expressed their good wishes, but at the same time, some of them said, “Don’t worry, it was the will of God.” These words left me thinking deeply. Why should someone be told not to worry after the birth of a daughter? What is there to worry about? Is the arrival of a girl child something to be consoled for rather than celebrated?
In my opinion, a girl child is often the most loyal and emotionally connected to her parents. A daughter may grow up, build her own family, and enter a new phase of life, yet the bond she shares with her parents remains deeply rooted in love, care, and affection. She often understands their unspoken emotions, feels their pain, and stands beside them in their moments of need.
I have experienced this affection in my own life. Every morning, when I prepare to leave for school, my little daughter lovingly polishes my shoes. When I return from school, she waits for me at the gate and welcomes me with an innocent smile. As soon as I enter my room, she begins to take off my socks. These may seem like small gestures, but to me, they carry an ocean of love. Her little hands, her innocent smile, and her eagerness to care for me make me realise that a daughter’s love cannot be measured in words. It is felt in the smallest moments of everyday life.
Unfortunately, our society does not always treat daughters with the love, equality, and generosity they deserve. I have witnessed situations where parents buy two things for their baby boy but provide only one for their girl child. When I questioned them about this unequal treatment, their response was even more disturbing. They said that a girl should not become accustomed to such things because she would eventually have to leave her parents’ home after marriage. Therefore, she should be given everything in limited quantities.
This mindset is deeply unfair and rooted in social beliefs that continue to undermine the value of a girl child. Why should a daughter be deprived of the little joys of childhood simply because she is expected to marry someday? Why should her present happiness be sacrificed for an uncertain future? A girl is a child first, with the same feelings, desires, and rights as a boy. Her childhood deserves to be cherished, not restricted by the prejudices of society.
Marriage should never be an excuse to limit a daughter’s happiness. Rather, parents should raise their daughters with the same love, confidence, freedom, and opportunities they offer their sons.
So, in the end, I would like to say that daughters are in no way inferior to sons. They are proving their worth and making remarkable achievements in every field of life. Whether we look at education, science, sports, administration, or any other profession, girls are continuously breaking barriers and creating new milestones. Even in the results of various examinations, girls are frequently securing top positions and demonstrating their talent, dedication, and determination.
A daughter is not a burden; she is a blessing. She does not deserve limited love, limited opportunities, or limited dreams. She deserves equal respect, equal rights, and equal chances to flourish. The time has come for society to change its mindset. Let us not merely congratulate parents on the birth of a girl child; let us celebrate her with our hearts.
Let us raise our daughters with pride, educate them with confidence, and empower them to pursue their dreams. A daughter is not someone who is born to leave her home; she is someone who leaves an everlasting mark on the hearts of those who love her. Let us welcome every girl child not just with words, but with genuine love, respect, and acceptance.
(The author is a freelancer. He can be reached at [email protected])
