Such a great article! I want to share with everyone. I'm so frustrated with how any trait expressed in young kids gets framed in reductive gender terms, while people ignore the constant reinforcement of gender norms at such a young age. Like in uterine young, and as soon as a kid is born they are in full force. Boys…

What a wonderful thing for your mother to do. She's the kind if person who must have made a lasting impact on so many kids.

Exactly! What does "research" mean? Reading a bunch of online blogs? All the valid science-based research demonstrates the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

Frustrating. What gets me is that some folks dismiss legitimate sources as being in "big pharma's pocket" but don't look at the financial incentives of the crunchy hippie sites. Supplements are big business too!

What a profoundly depressing image.

I really agree with what you say about science education. I think a lot of people lack the education to evaluate different sources of information.

you are so right. I think that one of the reasons that I am so passionate about vaccines is that I lived in a developing nation and saw the misery and suffering first hand. My friends there were desperate for vaccines. I wish that more people would open their eyes to the world around them, nut just their backyard.

It is so stupid and arrogant. Makes me so mad.

yes! How did this happen???? I don't get it. I feel like such a freak for not buying into the anti vaccines, food babe nonsense. To me the emperor has no clothes but to many acquaintances and relatives he is beautifully garbed.

I hate to say it but I really agree with the last paragraph. So fucked up. And when it happens everyone will be shocked by the predictable outcome of their science denial.

Ugh inadvertently replied too soon on my last comment. Being from northern Minnesota I can relate, doncha know. Apparently I'm a natural mimic because my accent is slight most of the time but the word "bag" gives me away...honestly I don't even hear what I'm doing wrong.

Oh can I relate. I'm from northern MN, and no one likes or res

Yes I doubt you changed his mind, but who knows. There are probably other people reading your comments who were won over or who can now better articulate their own thoughts because of you.

just wanted to thank you for your comments. You really articulate this so well.

yes the right style is key. Oddly I found a woman at the barber shop across the street who gives me an amazing cut for $20!

those guys always come after me too! And I get so irritated. I actually like my curly hair and they act like I'm offensive to behold or at least some pitiful thing that needs help to get her act together. I always want to say "eff off" but then I think they are probably just some poor schmuck trying to make a living.

this is wonderful. I wish I could email it to myself 10 years ago.

agreed. I have naturally curly hair, it would take me so long to straighten it. Plus I like to work out on my lunch break so it would just be curly again by mid day.

That's why you should spend hours on your appearance in a way that appears "natural" silly.

basically you can't win. I have naturally curly hair and I'm sure they would have straightened it.