Exactly. I grew up in peanut country. During harvest time, there was peanut dust everywhere over the entire county. Kids would work at harvest then they'd feed the cattle the hulls and leaves. That was also during the free gov peanut butter time. Every lunch tray every day had pb. No one was allergic and no one every heard of peanut allergies. Not discounting that somewhere in the world someone was allergic but we never heard of such. All I can see that has changed is kids don't go outside anymore. I would sometimes watch a neighbor's toddler but would get lectured that the kid should go outside but could not get dirty. Excuse me? What, make her play statue on the patio with a towel to stand perfectly still on? When our nephews came last summer, we couldn't pay them to go outside. They aren't allowed to play in their own yard. Ewwww, weeds and bugs and fresh air!!! They got packed off early to the cousins because they refused every activity. Oooh, can't swim because it's outside! Can't fish, ooh, outside! Can't play with the new kittens. No to archery, geocaching, hiking, the park, flying kites, yard games or helping in the garden. They don't know how to ride a bike and refused to try after we aired the tires up. Couldn't help hubby on the grill and he had to beg them to roast marshmallows. They eat NOTHING but steak. The 12 yo can't speak above a whisper. Nope, sorry, not putting up with that bs.
I hear you -
I’ve observed similar strange behavior by helicopter parents and their little drones over the last 20 years.
As to why we’re seeing such unusual amounts of abnormality in our offspring (skyrocketing autism, allergies, anti-social behavior) - some of it may be of our own making.
Or perhaps its the dog throwing off the fleas.