raising a girl costs more than expected; small bag and young woman
Proverb meaning that raising a daughter is surprisingly expensive, just as a small bag can hold more than it appears. The literal gloss 'small bag and young woman' is the surface meaning.
young women are fragile and need great care
Proverb emphasizing that young women are delicate and must be handled with care, similar to how small bags require careful handling. This sense is less common than the cost-related meaning.
The proverb 'small bag and young woman' means that raising a daughter costs more money than one would expect.
The proverb 'small bag and young woman' also carries the lesson that young women are fragile and must be treated with care.
The exact origin is uncertain. The proverb draws a parallel between a small bag that can hold more than expected and the hidden costs or fragility of raising a young woman.