The struggle with conservatism and integration of religious people is an actual political issue. And if you want to draw from personal anecdotes: I live in a city with strong conservative Muslim communities. They have their thumbs on the women in these communities who are actively kept away from people of different cultures by various means.

It's not persecution to draw a line how far religious beliefs can go and to protect your own cultural values. Giving these children a way to distance themselves from the overbearing influence of their parent's religion is a chance and a sign to them that these rules don't need to permeate all of their life.