How Girls Are Treated in "Sold"

In Sold, the girls are treated as nothing. It even says, "A girl is like a goat. Good as long as she gives you milk and butter. But not worth crying over when it's time to make stew." This line really got to me because they are not just looking down upon girls, but they are comparing them to goats. An animal they use for what they produce. And that is exactly what Lakshmi is to her step-father, a product. Nothing more than something you would sell, which is what they do to the girls. 

They also have so many rules for women. As soon as Lakshmi became a "women" she had so many new rules. She could no longer play at all. She had to stay out of sight for seven days and seven nights. She must be modest, bowing her head in front of men. Never looking men in the eye. Eat your meal only after your husband is finished. If he wants a son, you must bear his son. All of these rules she has to obey for the rest of her life. She has no freedom, and she just excepts that. I can't imagine having to choice or say in my life. It is so different here and I am thankful for that.