Malala describes a happy childhood that isn’t always filled with fear. She is the oldest of three children. Her father is a teacher who works hard to fulfill his dream of building a school. While some believe that girls of Pakistan should not be educated, there are many others who want the women to be educated. Most believe women should be allowed to do whatever they like, including filling professional roles such as doctors and teachers. However, there are societal dictates that greatly limit the options for females of the society. Women are not supposed to be alone when they are outside their homes. That means they have to have a male relative along when they are shopping in the local bazaar. Malala’s mother abides by the majority of the rules but she does the shopping and other errands for the family because Malala’s father is so often busy with his work in the schools.