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The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
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43: Furthermore, the education of woman is more necessary and important than… |
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Furthermore, the education of woman is more necessary and important than
that of man, for woman is the trainer of the child from its infancy. If she be
defective and imperfect herself, the child will necessarily be deficient;
therefore, imperfection of woman implies a condition of imperfection in all
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mankind, for it is the mother who rears, nurtures and guides the growth of the
child. This is not the function of the father. If the educator be
incompetent, the educated will be correspondingly lacking. This is evident and
incontrovertible. Could the student be brilliant and accomplished if the
teacher is illiterate and ignorant? The mothers are the first educators of
mankind; if they be imperfect, alas for the condition and future of the
race.
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It has been objected by some that woman is not equally capable with man
and that she is deficient by creation. This is pure imagination. The
difference in capability between man and woman is due entirely to opportunity
and education. Heretofore woman has been denied the right and privilege of
equal development. If equal opportunity be granted her, there is no doubt she
would be the peer of man. History will evidence this. In past ages noted women
have arisen in the affairs of nations and surpassed men in their
accomplishments….
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The purpose, in brief, is this: that if woman be fully educated and
granted her rights, she will attain the capacity for wonderful accomplishments
and prove herself the equal of man. She is the coadjutor of man, his
complement and helpmeet. Both are human; both are endowed with potentialities
of intelligence and embody the virtues of humanity. In all human powers and
functions they are partners and coequals. At present in spheres of human
activity woman does not manifest her natal prerogatives, owing to lack of
education and opportunity. Without doubt education will establish her equality
with men….
(“The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912”, pp. 133–37) [43] |
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