Her mother of course accepted due to the authority and power of her father. Nujood's father portrays the average Yemen male and their constant battle to obtain more authority and power. This creates major distinction in gender forcing Nujood's mother to keep shut and reframe from input of her daughters marriage. This affects Nujood's understanding of her role in society due to her mother's actions and creates a negative and weak perception of women in her culture. Nujood states "My mother never said a thing. She seemed sad, but resigned". This again influences Nujood's views and shapes her attitudes towards the opposite gender. .
Women in Yemen have clear understanding of their roles in their society. The relationship between men and women in public is rare and often live separate lives. Men dominate the workplace and only a few women are allowed to be educated. For instances, Nujood's husband forces her to leave school months before her wedding. This reinforces how gender plays a key part into creating differences and disadvantages to a particular gender. Nujood states "I loved school. It was my refuge, a happiness all my own". She express her desire to obtain something besides staying at home and cleaning. Education for women in Yemen is not important and not a priority. Women obtaining education is highly gender constructed due to the gender specific roles along with poverty. Nujood is a prime example how these gender specific roles and early marriages creates barriers to continuing education. This results to the inequality of gender and highlights how the culture shapes how people treat, communicate, and act towards the opposite gender.
In Yemen child marriages are very common especially in rural areas. Due to Yeman being a traditional culture it shows the conservative attitudes towards women. One of the main causes for child marriages is poverty. This leads fathers to marry off their daughters, often to elder men for a large dowry in order to provide for the rest of the family.