“Sunita, I don’t like you dragging your 10 year old daughter with you to do household chores! Why don’t you send her to school?”
“Aree bai saheb, school is an utter waste of time. First of all, I didn’t go to school, but I’m doing just fine. Moreover, in our community we don’t have the system of educating girls, only boys are sent to school. Anyway, what Malti will learn from life experiences will be far better and faster than what she will learn from books or by sitting in a classroom.”
Advocate Nalini was flabbergasted to hear her maid’s response. How can a mother have such a narrow outlook for her child’s education? Especially in today’s digital world, where grand opportunities are sprouting in every nook and corner.
Nalini’s daughter, Netra, who was having breakfast at the dining table, shook her head in disbelief. She came and sat next to her mother, before commenting on Sunita’s rigid ideas, “Sunita aunty, thank God my mother doesn’t think like you, otherwise I would have never become a badminton champion or I wouldn’t be pursuing my degree in architecture.”
Netra turned to Sunita’s daughter and asked her gently, “Malti, what do you want to do when you grow up? Do you wish to become a house help, like your mother?”
Including Sunita, all three of them stared at Malti for her unpredictable reply. Malti shook her head and said softly, “I don’t want to be a maid. I want to become a teacher.”
An educated mother holds a transformative power that reverberates through generations. Not only does she possess the capacity to nurture her own intellectual growth, but also plays a pivotal role in the development and well-being of her children and family. Although, the advantages of having a literate mother are endless, listed below are some of the most important key points.
1. Educated mothers are more likely to understand the importance of nutrition, vaccinations and hygiene, leading to healthier children. Interior designer Radhika’s toddler hasn’t missed a single booster dose and she doesn’t allow her elder one to eat vada pav from the roadside stalls.
2. Mothers who value education, often instil the same merits in their children, leading to higher academic achievements and aspirations. Exactly like what Advocate Nalini is doing for her daughter Netra.
3. Literate moms have better employment opportunities, thereby contributing to household income and overall economic stability. 12th pass Maya was a mother of two boys. She was only able to give tuition at home, but that wasn’t enough for her. Determinedly, alongside work, she studied further, upgraded herself and only stopped when she became a professor in a college.
4. Education often provides mothers with better problem-solving skills, critical thinking and effective communication, which can enhance their parenting abilities.
5. Education empowers women to make informed decisions about their lives, including family planning, financial management and personal growth.
6. With education, mothers are more likely to understand and exercise their rights and responsibilities, contributing to a more informed and active citizenry. When Rita was not given the scholarship she deserved, her mother fought tooth and nail with the management of the school, until her daughter received what was rightfully hers.
7. Education is a key factor in breaking the cycle of poverty, as educated mothers are better equipped to provide for and uplift their families. Priya began her career with a meagre salary of 3500/- nevertheless in the wake of education and hard work, today she is a marketing executive in her company and every month takes home a handsome five figure pay cheque!
Educating women is the foundation for a prosperous and progressive society. A woman is the face of a family; the backbone upon whom we depend for many elements of life, parenting is the most significant aspect of all the other things that she does. Remember, a literate mother is not just ameliorating the life of her children, but she is also passing on the legacy of education to the upcoming generation.
Shamim Merchant
