Eating dirt shouldn't be just for boys

babyluv617 · February 2011

This article explores the thought that girls are more often sick because they aren't permitted to play in the mud like boys. We hold girls to a higher standard when it comes to hygiene.

WDYT?

mrs.a.butler · February 2011

uhm...i played in the mud and dirt and played with bugs and frogs and lizards. jumped from trees. broke my bones. went swimming in yucky, tadpole filled ponds. I was a boy trapped in a girls body. lol.

I actually wasn't sick that often. My sisters on the other hand, one never did any of that and she was sick all the time. She was the kind of kid where she would get a cold and she would act like she was dying...case in point...my mom told me a story where she was acting so sick, like could barely get out of bed...I on the other hand was still running and jumping off of trees outside...so she took her to the dr. and i had to go. well the dr asked to check me out too, so they did. My sister had a cold, I walking pneumonia. :P

ETA: And an interesting thing that I didn't think about...I had a touch of asthma when I was real little, it went away. That same sister has asthma, she developed it in her teen years...........

Ris1127 · February 2011

I didn't read the article but DD was digging in the dirt last night. She was throwing it up in the air (it got in her hair, down her shirt, everywhere) I'm pretty sure she was eating too. LOL. She screamed when I took her inside! My girl is going to be a dirt eating Tom boy LOL! But I figure if she want to play in the dirt, go ahead. She's having fun and just being a carefree 2 year old. She (boys too) won't always be able to just go dig in some good mud, forever. :: off to read article now ::

ErinSea · February 2011

I think this provides just the justification I need to not clean my floors so often. JK...sorta.

I buy the argument that exposure to normal germs through playing with dirt can help build a child's immune system, I'm just hesitant to accept that the reason girls don't do that more is entirely because we hold them to different standards. I think plenty of girls are allowed to play in the dirt as much as they want, they just have less of a natural inclination to want to do so.

babyluv617 · February 2011

ErinSea:
I think this provides just the justification I need to not clean my floors so often. JK...sorta.

lol Is it wrong that I was thinking this too?

But you are right that many girls are given the opportunity to play in the dirt. I would treat both sons & daughters in the same respect about cleanliness to be honest. She can play in the dirt... in her dress.

Dobie_Mama · February 2011

babyluv617:
She can play in the dirt... in her dress.

Sounds like my house. lol

Joes_love · February 2011

just like Noah is allowed to have a princess castle night light, Darcy will be able to play with whatever she wants. and if she wants to eat dirt, i'm all for it. it'll cut down on the grocery bill :-p