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Daughter

life science Maturity 11-13 Next article →

A daughter is a female child of her parents.

Doddy4GenerationsAug1931A
Doddy4GenerationsAug1931A

Being a daughter is a state or a condition. The male counterpart to a daughter is a son. In biology, a daughter is called a first degree relative. This means she is very closely related to her parents. The term can also describe a female descendant. Sometimes, an elder uses the word as a term of endearment.

Table of Consanguinity showing degrees of relationship
Table of Consanguinity showing degrees of relationship

Different societies have different rules for daughters. In patriarchal societies, daughters may have fewer rights than sons. Some families may even prefer to have sons. In some customs, a daughter is "sold" to her husband. In those cases, the husband pays a bride price. Other societies use a different way called a dowry. A dowry is money that parents pay to a husband. This often happens when women do not work outside the home.

History and religion also mention daughters in special ways. In the traditions of various Abrahamic religions, a person named Luluwa is important. She is seen as the first daughter to ever exist.

Self-portrait of Constance Mayer with her father
Self-portrait of Constance Mayer with her father

We can see how family ties work through many generations. One famous photo from 1931 shows four generations of mothers and daughters. These links show how people stay connected through time.

There are many interesting facts about birth rates. In the United States, the birth rate has been steady since the 1700s. There are 105 sons born for every 100 daughters.

Photograph of Betty Ford with Daughter, Susan Ford - NARA - 186845
Photograph of Betty Ford with Daughter, Susan Ford - NARA - 186845

Some parents who want to adopt a child show a slight preference for girls. This preference is also seen in fertility clinics. In those clinics, daughters are usually preferred over sons.

Authors often use daughters to tell stories about family. These books explore how parenting shapes a child's character. Jane Austen wrote about Elizabeth Bennet in 1813. Louisa May Alcott wrote about Jo March in 1868. Betty Smith wrote about Francie Nolan in 1943. Harper Lee wrote about Scout Finch in 1960. Madeleine L'Engle wrote about Meg Murry in 1962. These stories help readers understand how people grow up.

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File:Doddy4GenerationsAug1931A.jpg
Doddy4GenerationsAug1931A.jpg
File:Self-portrait_of_Constance_Mayer_with_her_father.jpg
Self-portrait_of_Constance_Mayer_with_her_...
File:Table of Consanguinity showing degrees of relationship.svg
Table of Consanguinity showing degrees of...
Photograph of Betty Ford with Daughter,...
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