A daughter is a female offspring; a girl, woman, or female animal in relation to her parents. Daughterhood is the state of being a daughter. The masculine counterpart is a son. Analogously the name is used in several areas to show relations between groups or elements.
In patriarchal societies, daughters often have different or lesser familial rights than sons. A family may prefer to have sons rather than daughters, with the daughters subjected to female infanticide. In some societies it is the custom for a daughter to be 'sold' to her husband, who must pay a bride price. The reverse of this custom, where the parents pay the husband a sum of money to compensate for the financial burden of the woman, is found in societies where women do not labour outside the home, and is referred to as dowry.
In the United States, the birth rate is 105 sons to 100 daughters which has been the natural birth rate since the 18th century. About 80 percent of prospective adoptive parents from the US will choose a girl over a boy.
Read more about Daughter: In The Bible
Famous quotes containing the word daughter:
“I have been told lately that Fuseli was travelling by coach and a gentleman opposite him said: “I understand, Mr. Fuseli, that you are a painter; it may interest you to know that I have a daughter who paints on velvet.”
Fuseli rose instantly and said in a strong foreign accent, “Let me get out.””
—Samuel Butler (1835–1902)
“To raise a son without learning is raising an ass; to raise a daughter without learning is raising a pig.”
—Chinese proverb.
“I may neither choose who I would, nor refuse who I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)