Ksenia Kardonova, About Traditional Upbringing

Ksenia says the following. Boys were brought up as heirs. It was believed that a man who has sons is rich. Having a girl was not as joyous as having a boy, because when the girls grow up they will leave their family after marriage. There were no big differences in the upbringing of boys and girls. The girl was brought up by her mother, who taught her how to sew, cook and wash. It was good if a girl could do embroidery. I tell my daughters that in the olden days girls were closely watched when they cooked, sewed, or even walked. People observed how a girl carries water, whether she splashes it or not, how she talks and how she looks at people. By contrast, boys grew up with their fathers, from whom they learnt how to do men’s work. Of course, boys should serve in the army, get married and be able to provide for their families. Ksenia says a well-wish to young people: ‘Let the youth live well, listen to their elders, respect their young, live in prosperity and plenty. Let everyone help each other in difficult times’.Sponsored by Arcadia Fund, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwi