A Compilaton on Women Part 4

34: You are quite right in stating that men and women have basic and distinct...

You are quite right in stating that men and women have basic and distinct qualities. The solution provided in the teachings of Baha'u'llah is not, as you correctly observe, for men to become women, and for women to become men. 'Abdu'l-Baha gave us the key to the problem when He taught that the qualities and functions of men and women "complement" each other. He further elucidated this point when He said that the "new age" will be "an age in which the masculine and feminine elements of civilization will be more properly balanced."

(22 April 1981 to an individual believer) [34]

35: It may be helpful to stress ... that the Baha'i principle of the...

It may be helpful to stress ... that the Baha'i principle of the equality of men and women is clearly stated in the teachings, and the fact that there is diversity of function between them in certain areas does not negate this principle.

(23 August 1984 to two believers) [35]

II. THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN

Extracts From the Writings of Baha'u'llah:

36: It is the bounden duty of parents to rear their children to be staunch in...

It is the bounden duty of parents to rear their children to be staunch in faith ... For every praiseworthy deed is born out of the light of religion, and lacking this supreme bestowal the child will not turn away from any evil, nor will he draw nigh unto any good.

(From a Tablet - translated from Persian, published in "Baha'i Education, a compilation", 1976 World Centre edition, p. 6) [36]

Extracts From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha:

37: Praised be G.o.d, the women believers have organized meetings where they will...

Praised be G.o.d, the women believers have organized meetings where they will learn how to teach the Faith, will spread the sweet savours of the Teachings and make plans for training the children.

...those present should concern themselves with every means of training the girl children; with teaching the various branches of knowledge, good behaviour, a proper way of life, the cultivation of a good character, chast.i.ty and constancy, perseverance, strength, determination, firmness of purpose; with household management, the education of children, and whatever especially applieth to the needs of girls-to the end that these girls, reared in the stronghold of all perfections, and with the protection of a goodly character, will, when they themselves become mothers, bring up their children from earliest infancy to have a good character and conduct themselves well.

Let them also study whatever will nurture the health of the body and its physical soundness, and how to guard their children from disease.

("Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", sec. 94, pp. 12324) [37]

38: Work ye for the guidance of the women in that land, teach the young girls and...

Work ye for the guidance of the women in that land, teach the young girls and the children, so that the mothers may educate their little ones from their earliest days, thoroughly train them, rear them to have a goodly character and good morals, guide them to all the virtues of humankind, prevent the development of any behaviour that would be worthy of blame, and foster them in the embrace of Baha'i education. Thus shall these tender infants be nurtured at the breast of the knowledge of G.o.d and His love. Thus shall they grow and flourish, and be taught righteousness and the dignity of humankind, resolution and the will to strive and to endure.

Thus shall they learn perseverance in all things, the will to advance, high mindedness and high resolve, chast.i.ty and purity of life. Thus shall they be enabled to carry to a successful conclusion whatsoever they undertake.

Let the mothers consider that whatever concerneth the education of children is of the first importance. Let them put forth every effort in this regard, for when the bough is green and tender it will grow in whatever way ye train it. Therefore it is inc.u.mbent upon the mothers to rear their little ones even as a gardener tendeth his young plants. Let them strive by day and by night to establish within their children faith and cert.i.tude, the fear of G.o.d, the love of the Beloved of the worlds, and all good qualities and traits. Whensoever a mother seeth that her child hath done well, let her praise and applaud him and cheer his heart; and if the slightest undesirable trait should manifest itself, let her counsel the child and punish him, and use means based on reason, even a slight verbal chastis.e.m.e.nt should this be necessary. It is not, however, permissible to strike a child, or vilify him, for the child's character will be totally perverted if he be subjected to blows or verbal abuse.

("Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", sec. 95, pp. 12425) [38]

39: ...it is inc.u.mbent upon the father and mother to train their children both in...

...it is inc.u.mbent upon the father and mother to train their children both in good conduct and the study of books; study, that is, to the degree required, so that no child, whether girl or boy, will remain illiterate....

("Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", sec 101, p. 127) [39]

40: 'Abdu'l-Baha's supreme joy is in observing that a number of leaves from among...

'Abdu'l-Baha's supreme joy is in observing that a number of leaves from among the handmaidens of the Blessed Beauty have been educated, that they are the essence of detachment, and are well-informed of the mysteries of the world of being; that they raise such a call in their glorification and praise of the Greatest Name as to cause the inmates of the Fanes of the Kingdom to become attracted and overjoyed, and that they recite prayers in prose and poetry, and melodiously chant the divine verses. I cherish the hope that thou wilt be one of them, wilt cast forth pearls, wilt be constantly engaged in singing His praise and wilt intone celestial strains in glorification of His attributes....

(From a Tablet - translated from the Persian) [40]

41: ...Thou hast written about the girls' school. What was previously written...

...Thou hast written about the girls' school. What was previously written still holdeth true. There can be no improvement unless the girls are brought up in schools and centres of learning, unless they are taught the sciences and other branches of knowledge, and unless they acquire the manifold arts, as necessary, and are divinely trained. For the day will come when these girls will become mothers. Mothers are the first educators of children, who establish virtues in the child's inner nature. They encourage the child to acquire perfections and goodly manners, warn him against unbecoming qualities, and encourage him to show forth resolve, firmness, and endurance under hards.h.i.+p, and to advance on the high road to progress. Due regard for the education of girls is, therefore, necessary.

This is a very important subject, and it should be administered and organized under the aegis of the Spiritual a.s.sembly....

(From a Tablet - translated from the Persian) [41]

42: ...it is inc.u.mbent upon the girls of this glorious era to be fully versed in...