My daughter is two and a half years old. Whenever she passes gas, she absolutely busts up laughing. Despite occasional sidelong glances from family and strangers alike, she just thinks farts are the funniest things that have ever happened. And you know what? She’s right.

Flatulence is objectively hilarious. It is also an important indicator of healthy digestion. But it is very much frowned upon in our decent society, especially — and this is the kicker — when it comes to women and girls.

It’s not that I’m particularly enamored of farts. In addition to being funny, they’re also objectively pretty gross. What I am enamored of is the prospect of my daughter growing up with a complete and honest understanding of and appreciation for her body — how it works, why it looks the way it does, and what it can do.

That means more than learning how fast she can run or how high she can jump. It also means learning about the “grosser” aspects of bodily functioning, and loving them, too.

The importance of this point was driven home for me again recently when I saw a creative ad for a new, ridiculous product called “PooPourri.” The video has been making the rounds on Facebook. Have a look:

This is a clever and funny way to pitch a unique product. I actually really like the marketing. What I really don’t like is the tagline: “Girls Don’t Poop.” It’s tongue-in-cheek, but I think it reinforces a negative message we send to girls and women over and over.

It’s also a message we do not send to boys in the same way. It’s the message that these natural functions are something to be ashamed of — even that women and girls need to help perpetuate the myth that they do not happen. It’s a message of pressure to participate in the fantasy.

But they do happen. They doo.

When my daughter is old enough to think a little more critically about this, we’ll talk about what’s “appropriate.” We’ll discuss the times when it’s appropriate to make a scene about farts, as well as the times when it’s not, such as at school or the dinner table. I’m confident we’ll find a healthy balance.

Until then, farts will continue to be a regular source of amusement for us…as they should for everyone who doesn’t have a stick up their butt.