Parents say raising girls more expensive than boys

Dammam : Raising a child is expensive, but many believe that girls are more expensive than boys.
With the change of social pattern in the Kingdom, Saudi household expenses have doubled in recent years, and too often, girls are considered to be one of the main reasons for this increase.

Latifah Al-Maadi, a retired employee, said: "There is no doubt that expenses on girls have increased dramatically. Decades ago, the weekly expenditure on a little girl was not more than SR10. It's now at least SR1,000 per month."

Lulua Al-Saad, a teacher, said: "Expenses on our two daughters far exceed those spent on our two sons. In particular, their phone bills did not exceed on average SR180 previously, but now they are around SR350, along with their dresses, cosmetics, and accessories which constitute their basic needs."

Watfa Al-Enzi, also a teacher, said that all Saudi families are suffering from the phenomenon of girls' expenses that have doubled in recent years, adding that the problem becomes worse if she does not have employment or a fixed income, such as in the case of students.

Some girls admitted that their expenses have touched a new high in recent years, and tried to identify the causes that have led to this phenomenon.
Maha Al-Obaidi, a college student, said: "Our expenditures have doubled in recent years due to the mushrooming of markets and malls with the various goods that entice us to buy ever more, along with the products published on social media which increase the consumer's purchasing appetite without a thought or care."

Anisah Wahab, a student, said: "I always spend all the money that I get from my father before the end of every month, so I go to my mother to take more money to cover my huge expenses."

Soulaf Al-Shammari, also a student, said she thought that the girls' expenses have doubled in recent years due to the pace of modern life and the temptations that face everyone, not only girls, which significantly increase the buying appetite. 

She said all citizens are victims of propaganda and ads that have stormed their homes through television, social media and brochures with colorful and attractive images for products, food, beverages and even equipment and various kinds of technology.

Sabah Al-Mulhem, a social worker, said that expenses have actually doubled in general, not just in the area of girls' expenses. The reality of contemporary life makes everyone subject to the domination of market forces.