Mothers: first educators of humanity

As we celebrate Mother’s Day on 11 May, it is opportune to reflect on the important role our mothers play as the first educators – a role that begins from the child’s infancy.

While both parents share in the overall responsibility of educating their children, the mother is given recognition as “the first educator of the child, and the most important formative influence in his development”.

According to the Bahá'í Writings, “Mothers are the first educators, the first mentors; and truly it is the mothers who determine the happiness, the future greatness, the courteous ways and learning and judgement, the understanding and the faith of their little ones” and “If the mother is educated then her children will be well taught. When the mother is wise, then will the children be led into the path of wisdom. If the mother be religious she will show her children how they should love God. If the mother is moral she guides her little ones into the ways of uprightness. It is clear therefore that the future generation depends on the mothers of today”.

Although our children receive their formal education at school, it is at home that their character is developed, and their moral and spiritual attitudes are formed. Home is the first environment in which they learn the values of tolerance, compassion, trustworthiness, and social responsibility.

As the first educator of children, mother must be carefully prepared for this task. Hence the need to prepare our daughters to be good educators and mentors. Educating our daughters is necessary, not only because they are the first educators, but also for the well-being and advancement of our communities and nations. Without the qualities, talents and skills of both women and men, full social and economic development of the planet is impossible.

Of course, the benefits of the education of women and girls are not only in terms of social economic development. Material well-being is only one of the many benefits our communities derive from their education.

The Bahá'í International Community states: “Girls will not only render service to humanity as mothers and first educators of the next generation, but, as women, they will make special contributions to the creation of a just world order -- an order characterised by vigour, cooperation, harmony, and a degree of compassion never before witnessed in history”.

The way should be open for women and girls to enter all spheres of human endeavour, including the arts and sciences, agriculture, commerce, industry, and the affairs of state. There is no natural limit on women's abilities.

Mothers can be agents for change – for empowering the new generation to transform society. They can instil in their children the self-esteem, respect for others, and love for humanity: essential for building peaceful communities and advancing civilisation.

According to the Bahá'í International Community: “The creation of a peaceful and sustainable world civilisation will be impossible without the full participation of women in every arena of human activity”.

Considering that mothers play a central role as humanity’s first educators, and the crucial role they have in empowering individuals to transform society, it is vital that we create the conditions in which girls can develop to their full potential.

Humanity’s well-being depends on the development of the potential abilities and virtues of every individual, regardless of gender, race, nationality, class, or religion. It is the Bahá'í view that: “Only as women are welcomed into full partnership [with men] in all fields of human endeavour will the moral and psychological climate be created in which international peace can emerge”.

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