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..the responsibility (in marriage) is not only the normally-accepted one of a parent protecting and educating another innocent and defenseless human being, but one of helping to raise up a new race of men and women on whom depends future world society.. (87:1) "...It is enjoined upon the father and mother, as a duty, to strive with all effort to train the daughter and the son, to nurse them from the breast of knowledge and to rear them in the bosom of sciences and arts. Should they neglect this matter, they shall be held responsible and worthy of reproach in the presence of the stern Lord. (87:2) This is a sin unpardonable, for they have made that poor babe a wanderer in the Sahara of ignorance, unfortunate and tormented; to remain during a lifetime a captive of ignorance and pride, negligent and without discernment." ('Abdul-Baha) (87:3) Baha'i Writings point out that the spiritual and intellectual growth of the child, as well as its physical growth starts in the womb, and that the mother should bear this in mind whilst pregnant. There is the suggestion that the more serene and spiritual is during this time, the better it will be for the baby as well as for herself. (87:4) From the time when the baby is born the parents must be ever conscious of their responsibility and their power to influence the character of the child in their care. If their own lives are corrupt and conducted at standards lower than the highest, they must expect that this condition will become a part of the character of their children. In this connection it is worth drawing particular attention to one failing which is so common, that of backbiting.. Children should be brought up in a home where there is warmth of feeling for all people, a sense of reverence for all things, an attitude of prayer to God.
(87:5)
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