Child vs. Daughter — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 5, 2024
A child is any young human, regardless of gender, while a daughter specifically refers to a female child in relation to her parents.
Difference Between Child and Daughter
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A child refers broadly to any human being from birth until the onset of puberty, encapsulating both males and females. On the other hand, a daughter specifically denotes a female child as it relates to her biological or adoptive parents.
In terms of family roles, a child can occupy various positions such as son, daughter, or simply young member, depending on their gender and birth order. Whereas a daughter always holds the specific role of being the female offspring in her family.
Legally, the term 'child' can also imply certain rights and protections under the law, which are provided to minors. In contrast, 'daughter' carries no specific legal connotations beyond denoting gender and familial connection.
In cultural contexts, the expectations and roles of a child may vary widely, but typically include growth and development stages. A daughter, however, might also embody specific cultural and societal expectations regarding behavior and responsibilities towards her parents.
In terms of dependency, children are generally dependent on their parents or guardians for basic needs and guidance. A daughter is included in this dependency, but she might also have additional emotional or cultural responsibilities towards her family, especially in familial or traditional contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A young human being, either male or female, typically considered from birth to puberty.
A female child in relation to her parents or guardians.
Legal Implications
Entitled to rights and protections as a minor.
No specific legal implications beyond familial relationship.
Family Role
Can be a son, daughter, or general offspring.
Specifically a female offspring.
Cultural Expectations
Varies, generally involves growth and developmental milestones.
May include specific roles or responsibilities in some cultures.
Dependency
Dependent on parents/guardians for needs and upbringing.
Similarly dependent, sometimes with added emotional or familial duties.
Compare with Definitions
Child
Dependent offspring.
Their child depends on them for both emotional and physical support.
Daughter
Specific family role.
As their only daughter, she often helped her parents at home.
Child
Member of a family.
She has always wanted a large family with many children.
Daughter
Young female child.
Their daughter loves to dance and sing.
Child
Young human being.
The park was filled with the joyful sounds of children playing.
Daughter
Female descendant.
She is the daughter of two doctors.
Child
Minor in legal terms.
As a child, he was protected by numerous child welfare laws.
Daughter
Female offspring.
Their daughter is studying to become an engineer.
Child
Neutral term regarding gender.
The teacher asked every child to draw their family.
Daughter
Culturally defined responsibilities.
In their culture, the eldest daughter takes care of the younger siblings.
Child
Biologically, a child (plural children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty, or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. The legal definition of child generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority.
Daughter
A daughter is a female offspring- a girl or woman in relation to her parents. Daughterhood is the state of being someone's daughter.
Child
A person between birth and puberty.
Daughter
One's female child.
Child
A person who has not attained maturity or the age of legal majority.
Daughter
A female descendant.
Child
An unborn infant; a fetus.
Daughter
A woman considered as if in a relationship of child to parent
A daughter of the nation.
Child
An infant; a baby.
Daughter
One that is personified or regarded as a female descendant
"Culturally Japan is a daughter of Chinese civilization" (Edwin O. Reischauer).
Child
One who is childish or immature.
Daughter
The immediate product of the radioactive decay of an element.
Child
Someone to whom a specified person is a parent.
Daughter
Possessing the characteristics of a daughter; having the relationship of a daughter.
Child
A member of a tribe; descendant
Children of Abraham.
Daughter
Of or relating to a cell, organelle, or other structure produced by division or replication
Daughter cell.
Daughter DNA.
Child
An individual regarded as strongly affected by another or by a specified time, place, or circumstance
A child of nature.
A child of the Sixties.
Daughter
Produced by or resulting from the decay of a radioactive element
Daughter atom.
Daughter nuclide.
Child
A product or result of something specified
“Times Square is a child of the 20th century” (Richard F. Shepard).
Daughter
One’s female offspring.
I already have a son, so I would like to have a daughter.
Child
A kid aged 1 to 11 years, whereas neonates are aged 0 to 1 month, infants are aged 1 month to 12 months, and adolescents are aged 12 years to 18 years.
Regular chores can be appropriate for both children and adolescents, given age-appropriate limits on difficulty level and time on task.
Daughter
A female descendant.
Child
(cartomancy) The thirteenth Lenormand card.
Daughter
A daughter language.
Child
(figurative) A figurative offspring, particularly:
Daughter
(physics) A nuclide left over from radioactive decay.
Child
A person considered a product of a place or culture, a member of a tribe or culture, regardless of age.
The children of Israel.
He is a child of his times.
Daughter
A descendant.
Child
Anything derived from or caused by something.
Daughter
(by extension) A female character of a creator.
Child
(computing) A data item, process, or object which has a subservient or derivative role relative to another.
The child node then stores the actual data of the parent node.
Daughter
A familiar address to a female person from an older or otherwise more authoritative person.
Child
Youth of noble birth
Daughter
The female offspring of the human species; a female child of any age; - applied also to the lower animals.
Child
(mathematics) A subordinate node of a tree.
Daughter
A female descendant; a woman.
This woman, being a daughter of Abraham.
Dinah, the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughter of the land.
Child
A female child, a girl.
Daughter
A son's wife; a daughter-in-law.
And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters.
Child
To give birth; to beget or procreate.
Daughter
A term of address indicating parental interest.
Daughter, be of good comfort.
Child
A son or a daughter; a male or female descendant, in the first degree; the immediate progeny of human parents; - in law, legitimate offspring. Used also of animals and plants.
Daughter
A female human offspring;
Her daughter cared for her in her old age
Child
A descendant, however remote; - used esp. in the plural; as, the children of Israel; the children of Edom.
Child
One who, by character of practice, shows signs of relationship to, or of the influence of, another; one closely connected with a place, occupation, character, etc.; as, a child of God; a child of the devil; a child of disobedience; a child of toil; a child of the people.
Child
A noble youth. See Childe.
Child
A female infant.
A boy or a child, I wonder?
Child
To give birth; to produce young.
This queen Genissa childing died.
It chanced within two days they childed both.
Child
A human offspring (son or daughter) of any age;
They had three children
They were able to send their kids to college
Child
An immature childish person;
He remained a child in practical matters as long as he lived
Stop being a baby!
Child
A member of a clan or tribe;
The children of Israel
Common Curiosities
What legal rights does a child have?
Children have rights to protection and care as minors, which are enforced by child protection laws.
What is a daughter?
A daughter is a female child in relation to her parents.
Do daughters have any specific legal status?
No, daughters do not have a specific legal status beyond being noted as female children of their parents.
What is a child?
A child is any young person, male or female, from birth until puberty.
What does it mean to be a dependent child?
Being a dependent child means relying on parents or guardians for physical, emotional, and financial support.
Can sons and daughters both be referred to as children?
Yes, both sons and daughters are encompassed under the term children.
What are the cultural responsibilities of a daughter?
Cultural responsibilities of a daughter can include caring for younger siblings or aging parents, depending on cultural norms.
Is the term 'child' used differently in legal contexts compared to 'daughter'?
Yes, 'child' in legal contexts refers to any minor and is associated with specific rights and protections, whereas 'daughter' is used only to establish a familial relationship.
Can a daughter be considered a child?
Yes, a daughter is a specific type of child, specifically the female offspring.
How does the family role of a child differ from that of a daughter?
A child’s role is more general as an offspring, while a daughter has the specific role of a female child within the family.
How does the definition of a child vary internationally?
Internationally, the definition of a child might vary slightly, particularly in terms of age and rights, but generally refers to minors.
At what age does one stop being considered a child?
Typically, the end of childhood is marked by reaching puberty, but this can vary culturally.
Are there cultural differences in how children and daughters are treated?
Yes, cultural expectations can vary widely for children, but daughters may have specific responsibilities or roles in many cultures.
Does the term 'daughter' have any significance in historical or religious texts?
Yes, in many historical and religious texts, daughters often symbolize particular virtues or roles, which can vary widely across different cultures and eras.
Why might a daughter have different responsibilities than a son?
In many cultures, traditional roles or expectations can dictate different responsibilities for daughters compared to sons.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
