Writing Assignment 1: Parenting

"Is Dirt Good for Kids?" is one of the most intriguing articles I have recently read. It has challenged my perspectives on hygiene, cleanliness, and child health. Unlike most people who believe that a child has to be protected from germs to remain healthy, this article challenges this perspective using the "hygiene hypothesis." This hypothesis advocates for a child to be exposed to germs early since it could boost their immune system. One of the critical lessons from this article is that if parents expose children to germs at an early age, they would have a low risk of illnesses such as allergies, asthma, and other autoimmune diseases when they grow up. The article highlights that the main reason for this response is the baby’s brain requires stimulation to improve the immune system (Zamosky, 2014). Therefore, exposure to germs helps the brain learn, adapt, and regulate itself, boosting the child's immune system. Looking at my life, it is evident that interacting with dirt at a young age can improve a child's immune system. Since I grew up in a poor neighborhood, I frequently played in the dirt, in some areas that most people could consider unhealthy for a child's upbringing. However, despite growing up in this environment, I developed fewer allergies and did not fall ill. Comparing my life with my children's life, my children are mo...