Because I am the first son!

Deprived by my parents from going to school.

My name is Koko Aslem. I was deprived by my parents from going to school for some years, but my younger brother was sent to school. My mother told me when she saw me crying that it was very important for my brother to be sent to school because he would continue the family name. I was later sent to live with my uncle in another city. The reason was that my parents believed I needed that strict upbringing necessary to make a good wife in the future. Basically, I was there to be groomed for marriage. I suffered there because I had to do most of the housework though my cousins were older than me. The boys in the house never did any chores in the house. My mom visited me unexpectedly one Sunday morning. When she saw how much weight I had lost and how unkempt I looked, she took me with her back home. When we arrived home, my mother sent me to school. She had to do this on her own because my father said he had no money to send girls to school.

My younger brother was given everything he asked for. He later dropped out of school mainly because he could not take the strict discipline the school demanded. On the other hand, I had to work extra hard to succeed as well as prove a point to my dad. I always longed for school and it used to intrigue me when I see people read newspapers. In addition, I knew that education could help me see the world. All my father’s property was given to my brother as the first son. He never worked because he did not need to. Sons with rich fathers never saw any reason to work. Later when my father was very old, he regretted the favoritism he showed o his sons. This was because they disappointed him with their selfish and stubborn behavior. My relationship with my brother has never been cordial. We never “saw eye to eye” because he was very stubborn and selfish. Now there is no relationship. I just ignore him and stay away from him.

#2.Why were my male siblings never sent away?

His response was, “I have every right over the land, because I am the first son.” He used to talk to me like I was a slave because he saw the way my parents treated me. A car was bought for him and he never gave me a ride. I used to question myself often about the way my parents treated me. Dad's closest confidante was my brother. Closer than mom. He alone knew what property my dad owned. Recently, I questioned him about a piece of land in a very choice part of the city. I desired to buy the land from him, but he refused. My parents always took sides with my brother when we had a misunderstanding. They told me to respect him because he was the head of the family after my dad. There was great division in my family as a result of my dad’s favoritism towards his sons. Later, my dad realized my brother had failed him, and tried to be close to me. He later apologized to me and tried to make amends, but it was too late. My father supported my brother and I still carry grudges in my mind. I never challenged him but pretended all was well.