Raising daughters in India is a revolution: A father's LinkedIn post goes viral

Dubai: In a moving LinkedIn post that has taken social media by storm, Bengaluru-based Ajit Sivaram, co-founder of U&I, offers a heartfelt perspective on the revolution of parenting daughters in a patriarchal society.

Titled "Raising daughters in India is a revolution disguised as parenthood," his reflections highlight not just the joys of fatherhood but also the significant challenges his daughters encounter, igniting a powerful dialogue about gender equality across the digital landscape.

He begins, “Every morning, I watch my girls put on their uniforms, pack their dreams, and step into a world that wasn't built for them. A world that will question their ambition, police their laughter, and measure their worth by their silence.”

His post on LinkedIn reads: "Raising daughters in India is a revolution disguised as parenthood.

Every morning, I watch my girls put on their uniforms, pack their dreams, and step into a world that wasn't built for them. A world that will question their ambition, police their laughter, and measure their worth by their silence.

And in that daily ritual, I've found the most profound leadership training no MBA could provide.

Because raising daughters in India means confronting bias before breakfast. It means explaining why my relatives asked if I'm "disappointed" about not having a son. Why do the neighbours speak to my wife about ballet and to me about science projects? Why safety is a privilege, not a right.

It means watching society try to shrink them while you fight to help them expand.

Leadership isn't learned in boardrooms. It's learned at dinner tables where you must explain why "girls don't do that" is a lie wrapped in tradition. It's learned when your 7-year-old asks why that uncle said women should act "appropriately" and you have to dismantle centuries of patriarchy before bedtime.

My daughters have taught me more about power dynamics than any corporate workshop.

They've shown me how subtle exclusion works when they're not passed the football at the playground. How casual dismissal feels when their ideas are ignored until a boy repeats them. How resilience is built not through motivational quotes but through daily acts of courage.

When I visit client's offices, I now see the women who are interrupted in meetings. The ideas that are attributed to the wrong people. The invisible labour that keeps teams functioning but receives no credit. I see it because I've watched it happen to two little girls I love more than life.

And I've learned to intervene. Not as a saviour but as an ally.

Corporate India doesn't just need more "women's leadership programs." It needs men who have seen the world through their daughters' eyes. Men who understand that diversity isn't charity – it's a strategic advantage. Men who recognize that the same system that holds women back is costing their companies innovation, talent, and perspective.

My leadership style isn't built on authority. It's built on empathy. On listening. On recognizing that the loudest voice isn't always the wisest one. On creating space where everyone can bring their full selves to work.

Because every night, I go home to two girls who ask me about my day. And in their eyes, I see the question they're really asking: "Did you make the world a little better for us today?"

Some days I can say yes. Many days I cannot.

But I keep trying. Because the greatest leadership lesson my daughters taught me is this: power isn't measured by how high you climb, but by how many you bring with you.

And one day, I want them to climb higher than I ever could."

Sivaram’s powerful words struck a chord with many, as he shed light on the subtle biases his daughters encounter daily: “It means watching society try to shrink them while you fight to help them expand.” The essence of his post emphasizes that leadership isn’t learned in boardrooms but at dinner tables, tackling challenging conversations about gender expectations and societal norms.

Reflecting on how his role as a father has reshaped his view of workplace dynamics, he noted, “When I visit clients' offices, I now see the women who are interrupted in meetings... the invisible labour that keeps teams functioning but receives no credit.” He highlighted the need for corporate India to cultivate more male allies, emphasizing, “My leadership style isn't built on authority. It's built on empathy."

The post concludes with a poignant reminder: “Because every night, I go home to two girls who ask me about my day. And in their eyes, I see the question they're really asking: ‘Did you make the world a little better for us today?’”

The response on social media was overwhelming. Here are some of the top comments from readers:

 “This is what real leadership looks like! Thank you for sharing your journey and insights.”

 “I’ve never read anything so powerful. This is a crucial message that needs to be heard by all parents!”

 “Your daughters are lucky to have you as their father. The world needs more men who think like you.”

 “It’s a sad reality that women face these challenges daily. Thank you for shedding light on this.”

“Empathy is truly the key. Your perspective is not just inspirational but also a call to action for everyone.”

Sivaram’s post has inspired thousands, sparking meaningful conversations around gender equality and leadership, reminding that the fight for a better future begins at home.