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Showing posts with label View point. Show all posts
Showing posts with label View point. Show all posts

Let's adopt 'fam' for 'he or she'

Written by Azuka Onwuka - Nigeria
-Twitter @BrandAzuka

Azuka Onwuka 
One of the most awkward realities in the English language is the absence of a pronoun that can conveniently and precisely represent the expression "he or she" or its derivatives like "him or her," "himself and herself," etc.

In the old order when the world was unapologetically male-centric or chauvinistic, "he" was used to represent the unknown or unstated gender: "He who humbles himself will be exalted; he who exalts himself will be humbled."

In a bid not to be accused of continued linguistic discrimination against women, the plural pronoun "they" was adopted to represent "he or she" - that is, when the sex of the person in question is not stated or known. Let us take an example from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (7th edition). This is how the world-famous and well-respected dictionary defines the word "headstrong": "A headstrong person is determined to do things their own way and refuses to listen to advice" (emphasis mine). How can "is" (singular) and "their" (plural) and "refuses" (singular) all be used for the same subject in one sentence? This breaks the rudimentary rule of grammar.

Let's look at other similar examples in today's English where "they" is used to represent the singular unstated gender: 1. "It's so good when you love someone and they love you back." Someone would ask: Are you in love with one person or a crowd? 2. "Whom the cap fits, let them wear it." The question arises: Are you referring to one person or many people wearing one cap? Can more than one person wear a cap at the same time? 3. "Everyone should do what they think is right." Question: Is "every" not referring to one anymore? 4. "Each person should take care of their expenses." Someone would ask: When did "each" become a plural word?


There are language conservatives and purists across the globe - I am one of them - who feel shocked or uncomfortable when a noun is treated both as a singular word and a plural word in one sentence. Despite the incontestable authority and unimpeachable pedigree of the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, I will NEVER use a similar statement in any speech or essay. If I did, I would feel that I had committed cold-blooded linguistic murder.
The repercussion of using "they" in place of "he or she" is that we have replaced one problem with a bigger problem. How can I explain to my little boy that "they" is a plural pronoun today and a singular pronoun tomorrow? If my son were to say then, "Daddy, they has come to see you," would I tell him, "That's wrong English, my son"?

You are what you post online

Written by Tayo Elegbede - Nigeria

Tayo Elegbede
Social networking sites are fast becoming an indispensable work cum playground for both digital natives and migrants.
The growing popularity of social networking platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and a host of others; provides individuals and organisations a new opportunity to create, define and communicate values, digital and social culture to the virtual world. This opportunity can be seized largely through little, yet consequential actions like profile bios and display pictures, page and post likes, comments and posts, tone and frequency of conversations, choice of words, interests and perspectives among other social media activities.

Social media activities are an expression of both personal and social identity. They are a reflection of real life, exposing the values and interests of the user, with the potential to either make or mar reputation, influence interaction and network building. These effects are applicable to both individual and organisation profiles.

The growth of social networks and users, particularly in Africa, gives rise to a new domain of concern for experts and users alike. This concern borders on the seemingly widespread abuse of social media with a prevalence of vices, such as digital identity theft, cyber bullying and online vulgarity. Hence, the need for noble online adventurers to define their personality, style and values in sync with their offline relevance.

So, does your post on social media reveal more about your personality?
Well, the answer is yes. While it all feels random, what you like and what you post says more about you than you think or will consider at the spur of the moment. Social media engagement is not just an expression of your personal interests or your idealised self; it is like a transparent windowpane into your personality. For instance, if your regular social posts border on brands and marketing, it will not be out of place to conclude that you have an interest in branding and communications, thereby, giving me an idea of your professional interest and aspects of your personality. In 2013, Justine Sacco, a New York based PR agent, was fired by her company for posting a tweet calculated to be a racist thought. Sacco had tweeted about embarking on a trip to South Africa to visit her family with the optimism that she will not contract the dreaded HIV and AIDs. "Going to Africa. Hope I don't get AIDS. Just kidding. I'm white!" Sacco tweeted.

The beauty of goodness

There is beauty in being good, in doing good, and in harbouring good thoughts. The world would have been so much a better place if people who are doing good are allowed to showcase their goodness without being trampled upon by the bad few. I am of the opinion that the people who are doing good are by far larger in number than those who perpetuate bad deeds.

I am not talking of those doing well as the adverb of good insists. You could be doing well in your studies and do well in your armed robbery business!
I should however quickly differentiate between being good and being evil. Good behaviour or act of goodness is primarily attitudinal. A good person is a responsible person, law abiding, and respectful, thoughtful, considerate, kind hearted, selfless, decent and imbued with all attributes of good upbringing and good nurture and culture.

Evil is not the opposite of good. Evil is much deeper than being simply bad. Evil deeds are invariably bad, but they are weightier and of deadlier consequences. A ready example is the case of a wealthy man who has about ten wives and boastfully goes about to entice the only wife of a struggling man and snatches the wife from him. The home being ruined might have been a happy home even amidst the couple's poverty.

That you are not a good person does not necessarily mean that you are evil or even bad. You may by nature be a misanthropist or a kill-joy. You do not mix with people, you are a loner, you do not find happiness in anything and nothing really tickles your fancy. All these do not make you evil or a bad person. Whereas you could be the greatest mixer with an Insurance salesman charm and be a cold blooded murderer! You could be the laughing gas with harmless mien and yet be the world's worst serial rapist.

Goodness is not when you have killed so many innocent people in your quest for power position and privilege and you now begin a reckless act of charity with ill gotten wealth, That does not qualify you to belong in the realm of good people, because the depth of your heart harbours the depth of demonic evil.

Towards demythologisation of African history

Witten by Bobson Gbinije - Warri, Delta State Nigeria
Asocial critic

History is witness of the times, the torch of truth, the life of memory, the teacher of life and the messenger of antiquity

CICERO (106-43BC) De oratore.

IN his magnum opus and literary tour de force entitled Heauton Timoroumentos the philosopher and essayist Publius Terentius Afer said: "Humo sum ; humani nihil ame alienum puto" ( I am a man; and nothing human is foreign to me). It is this drive to ensure that nothing human is foreign to man that gave birth to history. History is an authentic chronicle and a verifiable documentation of ancient and modern events.
The matrix of history is buttressed and consolidated by inputs from oral tradition of folklores, preserved by memories and recounted to the existing generation to document for posterity. The elements of written, divinatory and numerological submissions, etc, also contribute as resource archives from which historians, historiographers and archaeologists can get factual information. Before the art of writing was introduced, man, from the Paleolithic through the Mesolithic to the Neolithic ages used primitive means to document events.

Fundamental and remarkably eventful occurrences in history like the Nile Valley Civilization, the Cretan Civilization, the Sumerian Civilization, the rise of Babylon, Assyria, Chaldea, Phonecia, Persia, the Roman Empire, the early history of Greece and Christianity were documented in history. But the art of writing and documentation did not arrive in Africa until the 16th century, when European historians, from a European perspective, had already documented most of Africa's history.

Although the king of the ancient Mali Empire, Mansa Kankan Musa (1307-1337 A.D) set up the Sankore University in Timbuktu in 1310 A.D, it was a university for the propagation of Islamic studies (Arabic education), as against what was prevalent, the Western education and the art of writing. This exposed Africa's early history to the whims and caprices of history dabblers, sentimentality, historical prejudices, myths, tribal jingoism, misplaced patriotism, falsehoods, judgmental fallacies, arrant controversies and apocryphal submissions, making African history and anthology of incongruities.

The evil of Nollywood

Written by Biodun Ogungbo - Nigeria

One story
Dr. Biodun Ogungbo
There is a story/video reported on the Internet. The title of the video, “Flying bird turns into old woman in Oshodi,” doesn’t appear to explain the disturbing scene, but its description and a local news article combine to create an unusual narrative.

In the film, an angry mob and a policewoman can just be made out, gathered in a circle on the dusty ground. As the camera finds its focus, the grim reality becomes clear. In the middle of the circle sits a woman, almost naked, her body bloodied and burnt.
Eyewitnesses quoted by a newspaper said a black bird had been flying in the sky over Oshodi, in Lagos, before striking an electrical cable, falling to the earth and transforming into a woman. The same eyewitnesses said she confessed to being a witch.

Banke Idowu was one of those who filmed the woman. She told BBC Trending that as she arrived, she was told about the metamorphosis by others in the crowd. She herself believes the explanation of witchcraft. “I’ve never seen it in real life, but I’ve heard about it and seen it in films. So when they said it happened, I believed it.”

Another story
A friend was at a discussion forum where a taxi driver claimed in broad daylight that he hit a cat on the road and after the impact, the dead cat turned into a dead woman. The police were called, they bought the taxi driver's story and took the corpse away. He got away with manslaughter! Sadly, many on the forum also believed his story.

Single at home, married on campus

EDDY UWOGHIREN
Uwoghiren is a 200 level student, Medicine and Surgery, University of Benin, Nigeria

• Secret lives of students who pretend to be virgins at home, but live with campus lovers

Pretence is a GAME students play with ease. Before their parents, they wear the borrowed robes of angels, but they become sons and daughters of iniquity on campus. A good number of undergraduates dwell in a kingdom of deceit, where sex is cheaper than a pot of porridge.Their trademark of hypocrisy and lies flourishes both in public and private universities. They announce their presence in lecture halls by their ostentatious display of wealth. While other students are seated in old rickety chairs in lecture theatres, they swim in luxury in high-brow hostels off campus. They live like kings and queens in their secret palace of love, spending in a day the income that is above the monthly earning of their parents or guardians.

Most of them, especially ladies, live for their partner. They wash the man's clothes, clean the room and spend quality time cooking delicious meals, such that an onlooker might think they are married. The fact is that they might be single at home, but on campus, they are married. They live in a love nest with the lucky guy for as long as four years.
Welcome to the world of campus couples. Cohabitation, a phenomenon where two young unmarried people live together under the same roof, is a common trend on campus. It is not uncommon to find male and female students living under one roof as couples without the consent of their parents. The habit, termed 'campus couple', has gained grounds especially in off-campus residence.

Many students, who spoke to Campus Sun, said cohabitation enables two students in love to determine their compatibility status, as they get to study themselves before marriage. The male student assumes the role of a husband and the lady takes up the role of a wife. Neighbours know both of them, as they are often seen going out together. For these campus couples, exam period is the only time that reminds them of academic work, as they spend a better part of the semester practising family life.
Investigation by Campus Sun revealed that these students go for off campus residence for some reasons, ranging from poor sanitary conditions of halls of residence, inability to secure accommodation on campus and overcrowding. It was discovered that students cohabit for economic and financial reasons.

Pain of being left-handed in a right-handed world

Written by Azuka Onwuka - Nigeria

I have a confession to make. When we had our first child and noticed that occasionally, he used his left hand to do things, I began to encourage him, hoping that by doing that, I would "help" him to be left-handed. Unfortunately, he turned out to be right-handed and right-footed like his mother and I. He is not even ambidextrous. So all my "help" came to nought!
Why did I want him to be left-handed in a right-handed world? 

From my childhood, I had noticed that left-handed and left-footed people seemed to be more intelligent, more successful and more precise when shooting. I watched with excitement in 1992 as two left-handed people - Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush – contested the presidency of the United States. I learnt that the third top contender in that election, Ross Perot, is also left-handed. In 1996, I watched again as a left-handed Clinton was challenged by a left-handed Bob Dole of the Republican Party, who learnt to use the left hand after his right hand was paralysed by a World War II injury. Left-handed Perot was also the third top contender in that election.
My first child had been born before a left-handed Barack Obama and a left-handed John McCain contested the 2008 American presidency. Today, the United Kingdom is governed by a left-handed Prime Minister: David Cameron. In 2007, a left-handed Babatunde Fashola became the Governor of Lagos State. And, in 2010, a left-handed Namadi Sambo emerged as Nigerian Vice President.

I cannot forget the fire-power and precision of Emmanuel Amunike at the 1994 African Nations Cup, 1994 World Cup and 1996 Atlanta Olympics. His goals gave us the Nations Cup trophy and the 1996 Olympics football gold medal. The first World Cup I watched with understanding was Mexico '86, and the magic Diego Maradona performed with his left foot is forever etched in my memory. Why not forgetting the magic left foot of Lionel Messi of Argentina and Barcelona, let us also remember that the best player of the 2013 Under-17 World Cup was a left-footed Kelechi Iheanacho of Nigeria, while the best player of the 2014 Championship of African Nations held in South Africa was Nigeria's left-footed footballer, Ejike Uzoenyi.

It was, therefore, shocking for me to learn many years ago that the word "sinister" was derived from "the left side." What it means is that the ancient Romans believed that the left hand/side was the evil side/hand or the unlucky hand/side. The same belief existed in most parts of the world. In the Bible, we are told that the saints are on the right-hand side of God enjoying bliss, while Satan and the sinners are on the left-hand side of God being barbecued in the fire that burns with sulphur.

In our Nigerian cultures, the left hand is still demonised as unlucky, evil, clumsy, etc. Not only that, it is seen as disrespectful to accept or give someone anything with the left hand.
I find this oppression of the minority by the majority unfair. I believe that people should not be told that it is wrong to receive or give things with the left hand. Since they did not choose to be left-handed, what we are saying is that their Creator was wrong to have made them left-handed.

Nigeria as the world capital of skin bleaching

Written by Jide Ojo - Nigeria

"Say it loud - I'm black and I'm proud"
- R&B legend, James Brown in his 1968 album.

Jide Ojo
Can you believe that the World Health Organisation has adjudged Nigeria as the country with the highest number of women who use skin-lightening products in the world? In a recent skin bleaching snap survey conducted by NOI Polls from February 3 - 5, and published on March 18, 2014 in Abuja, the polling agency said the assessment result confirms the submission of WHO on the endemic nature of skin bleaching among Nigerian women.

Recall that a report in The Vanguard newspaper of June 3, 2013 had said the WHO had indicated that 77 per cent of women in Nigeria use skin-bleaching products being the highest in the world. The figure compares with 59 per cent in Togo, and 27 per cent in Senegal. Asians are facing a similar trend as 4 out of 10 women in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan use a skin-whitening cream.
The NOI Polls report reads, "Latest snap poll results released by NOI Polls have revealed that 64 per cent of Nigerians are of the opinion that skin bleaching has become highly predominant in the country, especially amongst Nigerian females (97 per cent). This finding supports the claim by the World Health Organisation that Nigeria has the highest number of women that use skin-lightening products in the world. The poll further revealed that despite the negative effects of skin bleaching affirmed by 83 per cent of respondents; the top reasons why people still engage in the practice of skin bleaching are the need to "look beautiful" (35 per cent ) and to "look attractive to the opposite sex" (32 per cent). Skin bleaching was also reported as being mostly predominant amongst Nigerians within the age groups of 18-25 years (48 per cent) and 26-40 years (43 per cent). In addition, respondents identified some of the negative effects associated with skin bleaching to include "skin cancer" (35 per cent) and "skin damage" (25 per cent)".

What electronic gadgets can do to you

Written by Bukola Adebayo

A gadget is a device or appliance having a unique purpose and function. At the time of their invention, gadgets are often way ahead in terms of novelty and uniqueness. This is what makes them so desirable and 'cool.'
That modern gadgets have changed the world is an understatement. No one wants to go back to the days of no television, no Internet and definitely no cell phone.

Each day, tech companies churn out the latest versions of laptops and mobile phones, while household and kitchen appliances are not left out.
While it is easy to get caught up in the rave of the moment, there is increasing scientific evidence linking 'electropollution' to the rise in cancer, birth defects, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer's disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, depression, learning disabilities and even Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

According to the World Health Organisation, 'electronic smog,' created by electricity, is "one of the most common and fastest growing environmental influences." Experts therefore warn that it is important that one is fully aware of the ill effects of these modern gadgets on health.
Researchers at Carnelle Montelle University, Toronto, Canada, in a report titled, "Tech Injury," give a brief outline of how these gadgets impact human health.

Texter's neck
This syndrome is associated with mobile phones, laptops and tablet use. The report states that those who engage in texting or simply reading while hunched over laptops easily strain their necks. Chiropractors say the pain can be severe.
The experts note that this habit affects blood circulation, which can lead to tennis elbow, whereby the exterior region of the elbow becomes sore.
Doctors in India say they see between 30 and 40 patients suffering from texter's neck every month, and they are mostly youngsters.

Stop faking good sex, it may ruin your marriage

Written by Funmi Akingbade  - Nigeria
(cafi.punch@yahoo.com)

Many couples believe that when it comes to good sex, if you can't beat them surely you can join them. They fake everything about sex from the beginning to the end. After many rounds of faking, sex becomes predictable and discarded. Some couples fight to regain the spark back and make blue films their guiding light but yet after a while they wonder; no explosions of passion. No breathy proclamations of desire, no tumultuous climax.

How can everyone in movies be having fiery, combustible sex when we barely create a spark?
Relax. Do you know that TV shows and movies give us this much lopsided representation of what sex is supposed to be like. Everyone seems to be climaxing and having orgasms all the time from whatever they're doing. They make you believe something is wrong with you or your spouse. Sex in the real world isn't always perfect, and it doesn't have to always end with an earth-shattering climax. Real-life sex can almost never measure up to the passion portrayed on the screen. Because films don't talk about the fact that it's likely that in an odd position, the acting couples pass gas or the love of their life has bad breath while they kiss. Or the shape and weight of their spouse is a big hindrance.

Even when everything else in the relationship is working, sexual styles aren't always compatible. You like long foreplay sessions. Your spouse may be ready to go in an instant. You long for wet, sensual kisses. He prefers dry, chaste pecks. Sex is not just naturally perfect most time.
The mistake many couples make is expecting the energy, sexual excitement, eagerness and the passion of their sex life when their relationship was still new to continue for ever. But as time goes on they forget that it is better to learn how to dance together and bump noses or knees instead of faking passion and orgasm.
Long-term couples can easily tell their spouses what dress or shirt they like them to wear, or what they like for dinner, but they tend to get tongue-tied when it comes to the topic of sex and rather result to faking than enjoyment. They're afraid of hurting their partners' feelings, so they don't tell them what they like or don't like. But you're not going to get it unless you ask for it.

Today's child and sexual exposure

Written by Funmi Akingbade - Nigeria
(cafi.punch@yahoo.com)

I received a phone call from a father recently who complained about his 9-year-old boy's habit of visiting pornography sites from the game pad he gave him as a birthday gift. He said when he confronted boy, he said that it was his classmates in school that introduced it to him.
He said the boy told him that porn is no longer new as they exchange plenty of porn materials among one another. The man pleaded with me to help rescue the boy from such an ungodly act.

Another single parent sent me a mail asking me how to check a neighbour's son who has formed the habit of introducing sexual stuff to her daughters that are between five and 10 years. She said when she reported the boy's behaviour to his father; he dismissed it as mere innocent act. She said she is not comfortable because her children have now started getting used to sex talk that she did not teach them.
Both parents said they had not yet introduced any form of sexuality talk or education to their children when I asked them.

This is one of the big mistakes of our times; parents leaving their children to the vulnerability of negative influence of Internet information without guidance. Because of the type of society we live in, parents owe their children a duty to communicate the right sexual values. Sexual values are appropriate, correct, right beliefs, priorities, and norms about sex, sexuality, and gender respects.

Nigeria's legion of 'illiterate' auto mechanics

Written by Bosede Olusola-Obasa - Nigeria

Do you know that your mechanic may be the reason your car is having too many problems? How up to date with modern technology in automobiles is your cherished mechanic?
Cars, Sports Utility Vehicles and light trucks are among the most loved by Nigerians across different income classes.
More interesting is the fact that the vehicles come with contemporary technology, which many mechanics are not familiar with. But, because of the desperation to stay in business, many mechanics pretend to know everything so that they don't lose customers.

However, stories from motorists indicate that in the last one decade, the best that roadside auto mechanics have been able to offer their long-standing clients may have been achieved through guess work.
In Lagos State alone, there are about 1.2 million 'illiterate' mechanics. Many of these mechanics lack modern skills and have thus been left behind in global automobile servicing trends.

As wives relocate abroad, husbands turn 'bachelors'


By Bisi Olawunmi
olawunmibisi@yahoo.com

If you are observant enough, you will notice him in markets - an ageing, cosmopolitan gentleman haggling with the market woman pricing pepper, fish, okro and vegetable oil. His age, generally 50 and above. At other times, you see him in the high brow areas of major cities doing his shopping at the mall. If he is no longer in paid employment, he spends much of his time at the Club house. There is a club patronised by such elderly live-alone men in old Bodija in Ibadan. He lives a relatively quiet life at home - no chattering or running around of children. Except, perhaps, for the occasional female visitor, that is for those still with libido, the house environment has an unnerving serenity. The above scenario typifies the changing times for the family set-up, especially for fathers in middle and upper class families in Nigeria. The ageing Nigerian husband and father is facing a silent revolt – a gang-up against him by wives and children who have chosen to remain abroad. The irony of it all is that it is the successful husbands and fathers who are mostly in this bind. Men took different routes to this common destination of loneliness in their twilight years. Many had travelled abroad, often to Europe, the US and Canada in their youth in search of the golden fleece, got married either to fellow Nigerians or ladies in their countries' of residence, acquire higher education, raise families and look forward to a life of bliss thereafter. While some returned home immediately after their education, others stayed back to also get their children educated before returning home. Some went abroad as employees of government agencies or international organisations with their families or raised families at their duty posts and either returned after their tenure or stayed back. Some men returned while the wives stayed back - different strokes. We have a large number of stay-back wives in Maryland, New York and Atlanta, all in the US, among others. There is a third category of those who went abroad under the US Visa lottery. In all, going abroad were happy moments, then, and in some cases, all the children of many couples ended up going abroad. Many fathers of such children are no longer smiling. Yet, the rush to America and Europe continues.

With Nigeria's worsening economic problems, those who never came back stayed put while the problems forced the children of many returnees back to the countries where many are citizens. Meanwhile, the returnee parents are getting older as well as those who never went abroad but had children there. The returnees and the locals are now in the same boat. In their active, younger days, many parents travelled abroad on vacations to see their children. Now retired or approaching retirement age, many parents are either financially or physically not able to make the journeys again, while some refused to visit to protest the children's non reciprocation.

It won't hurt, after a while…


Sometimes, you are at that portion of the road in your life when you think you can't go on. You are so heartbroken you can't believe you are still breathing. As far your feelings are concerned, it's the end of the world. It ended when the love of your life said goodbye. Getting out of bed becomes a chore. Life as a whole becomes hard work.
You can't imagine why the birds still sing and the sun still shines when you are all cold inside. Your life just feels like one huge indescribable pain. Are you at that portion in the road now? Do you feel it is all over, that you can't ever love again? No such thing. After a while, it shall pass because you'll live again. Every woman, every man at one point or the other must pass through this way. It's bumpy, dusty and choking. It's so cold you can't feel your toes.
The pain leaves you numb. It's so dark and cloudy you can't see there is still a great wide road ahead. But there is life after this point. You'll get through it. You'll understand it by and by. And it won't hurt you after a while. You have been in a relationship for three years. His parents know you. Your parents know him. In fact the two parents were only waiting for the two of you to give the holy matrimony signal. All your friends were set to be bridesmaids. You had told all your suitors that you were taken, spoken for. And then he delivered his 'so long' speech.

You are still trying to remember what his excuse was. Your heart seems to have stopped pumping blood or why else are you this numb. You have asked yourself over and again where you went wrong, how you missed the signs that he no longer wanted you. The fog is bad. Your eyes are swollen from crying, your dresses are hanging on you because you are neither sleeping nor eating. As bad as it looks this minute, even this shall pass. And you'll love again.
You were 35 when you met him. Your heart had been broken more than once and you'd made up your mind not to let any man get past the armoured gate to your heart. But he came and broke through your defences . He made you eat your vow. You fell in love again. He promised to remain your knight in shining armour and once again you believed. Today, he's gone and you are 40 and bewildered. Were you created to be alone? Maybe marriage is not in your stars. All you can see through your tears are the lonely years ahead. Maybe you will die childless. Maybe you should adopt a child now. Maybe you should accept your fate and stop searching. You can't see it now but the scars will heal.

A paucity of good men

By Tola - Nigeria

I knew this day would come. I knew that it was just a matter of time before our negligence came back to bite our collective asses. There was a time when the lament was that there were no good women out there for our sons to marry... the story today is rather different.
The evolution of the girl child in these parts over the last several decades has been an interesting one. She's come full circle. She's moved from being the afterthought, being ignored and a 3rdclass citizen in her father's house to a 1stclass citizen. How, would you say?
There was a time when a daughter was merely considered an extra pair of hands in the house. Someone to help ease the burden of house chores till someone who could afford the bride price came along or in bigger family dynasties she is bartered off to strengthen inter-family bonds.
Her education was not of paramount importance. As long as she could cook, clean, and was schooled in the art of keeping a home (and a man) mission accomplished. While this is going on our boys are raised as emperors of all they survey (whether or not they've earned it) and thoroughly schooled to understand that women are their chattel and therefore treat them as such.
While the above scenario is still actively in play in some far flung areas I am happy to say that things have improved considerably.
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