Every year, on March 8, the world celebrates International Women’s Day, where the achievements of women in different fields are highlighted. Every day, women continue to play a crucial role in society, the economy, culture, and politics, while breaking barriers and defying expectations along the way.
As they attain success in their chosen fields, women are also able to inspire and empower other women to follow in their footsteps. So on this special day, FamilyWise Asia talks to some mothers about how they plan to inspire and empower their daughters and the important values that they want to impart to them as they grow up.
Joanne Rivera-Peñano: “Creating a strong and trustworthy relationship with my daughter is important for me to influence her as she grows into a young adult. The most important values that I want to teach her are kindness and self-respect. In the world that we live in wherein so many injustices happening every second, I’d like her to be able to show compassion to others and to have consideration for others rather than acting out of self-interest. Self-respect is another core value I would like her to have. As a woman in a partriarchal country, I’d like her to be able to realize her self-worth and capabilities. I’d like her to be able to be confident in making decisions for her self without having the need of any external validation.”
Genna Lineses-Sardido: “Gusto ko ma impluwensiyahan ang aking anak sa pag tuturo sa kanya nang mabuti o tamang asal. Para sa akin, mahalaga ito dahil ito ang pundasyon ng kanilang pagiging mabuting tao. Ang gusto kung maipasa o ituro sa aking anak ay ang pagkakaroon ng respeto sa sarili, dahil sa pagtuturo nito sa kanya na puwedeng magsabi ng” hindi” ay nag papatunay na ang kanyang needs o pangangailangan ay importante rin. Sa pag tuturo rin nito ay matututunan niya ang pag respeto sa boundaries ng ibang tao.”
Karen Reyes: “Any parent would probably say the same thing- that we want to raise a good human being. But as a teacher and mother raising a child in isolation, the challenge is in raising a gentle being who is compassionate and empathetic- not only to others, but to herself. To allow herself to make mistakes and to try again, to love herself so she can learn to love others, and to have a heart of forgiveness. In a fast paced world ruled by gadgets, human interconnectedness is even more important. My only prayer for my daughter is succinctly captured by Mark Twain, “There isn’t time, so brief is life, for bickerings, apologies, heartburnings, callings to account. There is only time for loving, and but an instant, so to speak, for that. More than anything else, I hope she values relationships. Because at the end of the road, no matter how fleeting life may seem, relationships are what make it meaningful and beautiful.”
Geths Lajara-Lineses: “My parents have nurtured me, guided me and instilled God’s word at a very young age which made me who I am today. And that is the same influence I want for my daughter. Forgiveness is often thought to be a weak response especially nowadays that kids listen mostly to social media. While these platforms are helpful, it can also influence one’s behavior like being disrespectful. Respect and forgiveness are two important values that I want my daughter to learn an early age and put into practice. The world would say otherwise, but as long as it’s inculcated in her heart, she will bring these values as she grows up.”
For more stories about women and the family, visit Plus Network on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
