Having Daughters: A Blessing, Not a Lack of Luck

In short: Having daughters is a blessing, not a lack. A daughter brings a double gift and has an essential place in the family and in society: she is the first school in which children learn values. Preference for sons is a social inheritance handed down without regard to what is fair and true, and a stable, united society needs both sexes.

Society has long viewed women with condescension, as the idea of having children in our communities has been linked to a preference for sons.

With the passage of time and the honest experiences of life, these ideas have begun to lose their appeal in the face of more truthful and realistic notions: that having daughters is not a lack of luck, but rather a blessing and a precious gift worthy of gratitude.

A woman carries in her heart double the love and inexhaustible giving, and for this reason, welcoming a daughter into the family is often just as beautiful and meaningful as welcoming a son.

Women play a vital social role:

• Promoting values of compassion and cooperation
• Reducing violence and social disintegration
• Strengthening family ties
• When women are given their right to education, they elevate society morally and intellectually.

As the poet said: “The mother is a school; if you prepare her well, you prepare a nation of noble character.”

Women also play a vital role in family and faith:

• They are the first school to teach their children values and morals.
• The mother is often the first person to introduce a child to the meaning of faith.
• The wife supports her husband in living according to shared values.
• Raising daughters with love and respect is seen by many families as a source of great blessing.
• Nurturing daughters well is considered, in many traditions, a path to reward and honor for parents.

Thus, women are essential partners in upholding, preserving, and passing on family values and faith across generations.

But what is the reason behind the old preference for sons over daughters?

• Masculinity is often seen as an extension of strength.
• Some view masculinity as a symbol of physical strength and the ability to earn a living and provide protection.
• There is a misconception that males do not represent a financial burden.
• The male is often seen as the continuation of the family name.

The preference for males is largely a social legacy passed down through generations, rather than a reflection of fair or complete truth.

Society is not built on one gender alone — it needs both males and females, each complementing the other. The relationship between the two must be based on mutual respect and recognition of shared roles. When we raise both sons and daughters with equal love, care, and opportunity, we help build a more balanced, compassionate, and hopeful future for our families and communities.

If you have questions about family planning, fertility, or reproductive health, the team at Dr Najeeb Layyous’ clinic is here to offer compassionate, professional guidance for you and your family.

Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist