34: You are quite right in stating that men and women have basic and distinct...
You are quite right in stating that men and women have basic and distinct qualities. The solution provided in the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh is not, as you correctly observe, for men to become women, and for women to become men. 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave us the key to the problem when He taught that the qualities and functions of men and women "complement" each other. He further elucidated this point when He said that the "new age" will be "an age in which the masculine and feminine elements of civilization will be more properly balanced."
(22 April 1981 to an individual believer) [34]
35: It may be helpful to stress ... that the Bahá'í principle of the...
It may be helpful to stress ... that the Bahá'í principle of the equality of men and women is clearly stated in the teachings, and the fact that there is diversity of function between them in certain areas does not negate this principle.
II. THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN
Extracts From the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh:
36: It is the bounden duty of parents to rear their children to be staunch in...
It is the bounden duty of parents to rear their children to be staunch in faith ... For every praiseworthy deed is born out of the light of religion, and lacking this supreme bestowal the child will not turn away from any evil, nor will he draw nigh unto any good.
(From a Tablet - translated from Persian, published in "Bahá'í Education, a compilation", 1976 World Centre edition, p. 6) [36]
Extracts From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Bahá:
37: Praised be God, the women believers have organized meetings where they will...
Praised be God, the women believers have organized meetings where they will learn how to teach the Faith, will spread the sweet savours of the Teachings and make plans for training the children.
...those present should concern themselves with every means of training the girl children; with teaching the various branches of knowledge, good behaviour, a proper way of life, the cultivation of a good character, chastity and constancy, perseverance, strength, determination, firmness of purpose; with household management, the education of children, and whatever especially applieth to the needs of girls--to the end that these girls, reared in the stronghold of all perfections, and with the protection of a goodly character, will, when they themselves become mothers, bring up their children from earliest infancy to have a good character and conduct themselves well.