Malala Yousafzai's parents were different from the cultural norm in several ways. In her book "I Am Malala," Malala highlights the differences between her family and the cultural expectations of their community in Pakistan. One of the key differences was the way her parents raised her and her siblings. Her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, believed in the education of girls and encouraged his children, especially Malala, to pursue their studies. This was a stark contrast to the cultural norm where many families in the region discouraged girls from getting an education. Malala's father also gave her a strong sense of self-worth and encouraged her to speak her mind and stand up for her beliefs, something that was not typical for girls in their culture.