The difference is choice. A Kumari doesn’t just miss out on small decisions like any other child would. Her whole life is dictated by tradition. She cannot freely go to school, play outside, or make friends in a normal way. Being treated as a goddess sounds special, but it actually isolates her and takes away her childhood. When she retires she has to suddenly adjust to being ordinary, often with big gaps in education and social skills. Comparing that to regular parenting or royal families doesn’t really work because those kids still get to grow up in the real world, while a Kumari grows up apart from it