Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii

No... that is not the title of a kitchy 1950's surf movie with cliche dance sequences and itsy-bitsy bikinis.

"Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii" is the name of a 9-year-old girl in New Zealand who has been made a ward of the court so that she can legally change her name.

"The Registrar General of Births, Deaths, and Marriages in New Zealand has rejected names including "Fish and Chips," Yeah Detroit," Stallion," "Twisty Poi," and "Sex Fruit,"" according to an article from CNN.com.

But some names, surprisingly, have been passed; twins named "Benson" and "Hedges," after the brand of cigarettes, "Violence," and "Number 16 Bus Shelter".

To me, this is child abuse.

When you have a child, you have a GREAT responsibility to give them EVERY advantage you can. Parents should want the BEST for their children; that they will go to college, become successful in their careers, and eventually have a family of their own.

But apparently, some parents have no problem knowing that their daughter will apply for college using the name "Sex Fruit," or that their son will send out his resume with "Number 16 Bus Shelter" as the heading, or hearing "Do you, Matthew take Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii to be your wife...".

Children are not toys.

They are not pets.

They are not put on this earth for amusement.

They are human beings who do not deserve to be treated as anything less.

To name a child in such a way instantly creates shame and anger in them. The world is too messed up as it is, and children will learn those things as they grow. Why not keep them from it as long as you can, so they have a chance to BE children.