Appalled Mom Stands Up For Daughter After Teachers Shortens Her Name Without Consent
We often hear that words have power, but so do names. When people forget our names, mispronounce them, or give us nicknames we don’t like-- it can have a devastating effect on our self worth. This is what one New Zealand mother refused to let happen to her young daughter.
Pronunciation Pitfall
Paris Tautu spoke out after receiving the news that her daughter’s nursery had shortened her daughter Mahinarangi Tautu ’s name-- a traditional Maori name -- to simply “Rangi”. Citing the excuse that they found her birth name “too difficult to pronounce” the nursery alerted Paris of this change without consulting her first.
As any mama bear would be, Paris was furious. Not only was the nursery disrespecting her daughter’s Maori heritage, their disregard towards her given name had a profound effect on Mahinarangi’s self-confidence. Following cues from the nursery administrators, classmates of Mahinarangi made no effort to pronounce her traditional name and even went so far as to cruelly laugh at her.
Young people are malleable, and incidents like this can have a lasting and traumatic effect on children. After Mahinarangi’s unpleasant experience at her nursery, she became so distraught and embarrassed she stopped trying to correct her peers or her teachers as to the correct pronunciation of her name. The beauty in her name risked being forgotten.
The importance of culture
As Paris explains, her daughter’s name has deep significance, going back generations. Her Ngāti Raukawa heritage has a deep line of descent, known in Maori culture as whakapapa, which often shows where someone is from. In fact, the significance is so important in the culture of New Zealand that Mahinarangi’s nursery used Maori resources in their syllabuses.
"Can you imagine your child being too embarrassed to say their name because people won't make a decent effort to pronounce it properly?"
- Paris Tautu
This unfortunate situation is not unique. In fact, Paris told New Zealand Herald that her ancestors lived through similar experiences and that made her even more determined to make sure her daughter's name is pronounced correctly and respected. The first step, according to Paris, is education. She taught her daughter to stand firm and break down her name into single syllables to help instruct people on how to properly, and respectfully, pronounce her name.
Naming our values
Society is so fractured, and the values of respect and kindness are instrumental in coming together. If all you can do is make and effort to remember and properly pronounce someone’s name, that alone will go far towards making someone feel important and seen. We should all strive to make our peers feel that way.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.