Maybe Kids Need a Less-Sterile Environment

Summary

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It seems we have more diseases, infections and illnesses to worry about today than when I was a kid, or at least the experts make us feel that way. I often wonder how we were able to survive growing up on Salt Lake's west side.

Compared to the dangers we unknowingly grew up with, it seems that kids today live in a sterile bubble. As parents, many of us do whatever we can so our kids won't suffer. We get them immunizations for who-knows-what. We structure kids' play dates so they are never without a friend, drive them around so they never have to walk or get themselves anywhere, and even interfere with their competitive games so they won't feel bad if they lose or, better yet, avoid the experience of losing altogether.

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Extract

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Maybe Kids Need a Less-Sterile Environment

Growing up, our neighborhood had no chlorinated swimming pools or water parks with lifeguards. (Pioneer Park's pool came later.) Our favorite water ad...

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