Did you know that in Afghanistan, families that have no male heirs often dress their baby girls as boys? The girls are dressed this way until puberty -- and sometimes beyond -- because having a son is very important in the Afghan culture. Many times only males can inherit the family property, and families who have no boys are pitied.

There is nothing illegal about this practice -- in fact, it's been around for centuries. Afghan society is very strict about what women can and cannot do, and men and women are often segregated. To the Afghans, this is normal. To us in the United States, it might be difficult to understand.

I think it's important for children to study different religions and get an idea of what goes on in other parts of the world. When we hear about a new conflict in Patagonia or some such spot, we should already be familiar with the area and its core issues. The more we learn about different cultures the better it will be for all of us.

Jeff Fulghum is in Afghanistan right now, and I bet he would have loved to have learned more about that part of the world in school. Education is very important. We all need to learn to accept those who don't believe in the same things we do. I think we will all be better for it.