A man-child brings joy to the whole household, but a girl often brings only gloom and sometimes disgrace to her mother for her unfilial consideration. It is an old belief that a perfect daughter is not equal to a club-footed son. As a protection from Evil Spirits the son may wear a small padlock suspended from a thin chain around his neck. Or he may be given a girl's name to fool the Malicious Ones into believing that he is not worth taking away.
