Not to get all "back in my day," because to be sure, "my day" wasn't all that long ago. And I'm sure the 80s had their share of "Lysol Moms" too. Fortunately, my mom wasn't one of them, and I have the immune system to thank for it. This is not to say that all kids who get sick a lot or who have many allergies are victims of over-cleanliness, but if you're questioning why more and more older kids and young adults seem to get knocked on their asses every time a virus goes around, you might not have to look much further than Target's cleaner aisles. (And a few other choice environmental hazards.)
The "germophobia" thing bugs me for more reasons than the fact that other people's kids are going to be getting sicker (though I do work in health, so it is a concern of mine). It's bad enough that whole generations of children are being denied the ability to develop their own immune systems, but there are other consequences as well:
- The burden of a sterile environment falls, not surprisingly, on Mom. Women, especially moms, have long been targeted for their consumer ability and the expectation that they will keep their homes spotless. The blame for anything less than a 100% sterile environment generally falls right smack on "bad mothering."
- Creating a sterile environment requires a home keeper to purchase products, and lots of them. Clorox, Proctor and Gamble, and others are really cashing in on the germophobia that they have surely had a hand in creating.
- These products are horrible -- let me say that again -- HORRIBLE for the environment. Whether it's in their manufacturing, transport, or utility, the vast majority of cleaning products are riddled with chemicals that create a toxic (albeit a "sterile" version of toxic) environment.
- I'm not gonna lie... I believe that germophobia can limit a kid's right to be a kid. Playing in the dirt, touching stuff that all their friends have touched, sharing an ice cream cone with your dog... it's what I want for my kid(s?), and I know it's what many kids want for themselves. They don't need to have these awesome activities interrupted every 20 minutes for a "Purell break."
- That a huge body of medical research encourages parents to let their kids be dirty little hooligans proves just how pervasive the sterile impulse is.
The product that started it all. You know, for all the household items that can't be sprayed down with traditional disinfectant. I imagine this product is much like Febreze, except it's guaranteed to kill everything in its path... including, most likely, one or two layers of your skin.
Proudly wear your Purell Bling! Hook it everywhere... your pocket book, backpack, diaper bag... oh yes, don't forget to slop the stuff all over your infant (I've seen it done)!
Lysol Disinfectant Spray... for the air! Just spray it everywhere. For serious, just run around your house letting that aerosol can add some sterility to the very air you breathe.
Germ-X is basically just isopropyl alcohol, so while its over-use will eventually create more alcohol-resistant bacteria (not to mention halt your kids' immune development if it's over-used), it's generally not terrible for the environ... oh, shit. "Individually Wrapped Wipes?" Crap.
Meanwhile, in the world of creating a problem so you can sell the solution, Kleenex is trying to convince you that cloth hand towels are germ-ridden plague factories. According to their website, "The CDC guidelines for hand washing recommends hand drying with a single-use towel." (Oh, do they now?) Of course, for those committed to keeping their home as sterile as the average clinic environment, sure, why not toss out those money- and environment-saving cloth towels for a single-use piece of paper?
Taking a break from cleaning products to point out the single most effective way folks can help their kids develop a strong immune systems: BREASTFEEDING! Won't go too deeply into this one, since if you're reading my blog you already know it, but breastmilk contains more readily-digestible vitamins, nutrients, and yes, immune-building antibodies than any other infant food. In fact, new research suggests that the mama's skin cells (ingested by baby when s/he latches) contain antibodies that fight off air-borne infections that might have just entered the environment (can't find the article right now, sorry). In other words, putting baby to breast is like a more effective (and less stinky) Lysol spray!
I know, I know... shopping carts are loaded with nasty crap. But come on. If it's flu season, by all means, wipe it down with a wet cloth (or just be old-school and wash your hands after you shop), but let's not forget the effects of antibacterial over-use.
I might get shat on for this one. I admit, shopping carts are incredibly dirty, and the covers are incredibly cute. It might make us cringe to think about what flavors of nasty lurk upon our carts' handlebars, but I have enough friends with toddlers to know that this is far from the grossest thing your kid will put in her mouth today. Besides, isn't this just one more product that moms are being guilt-tripped into purchasing? One more thing to carry in the diaper bag? One more thing to futz with at the grocery store while your other youngsters run off and eat god knows what?
I saw a lil' one the other day at Earth Face, probably around 18 months, vociferously gnawing on the bare handlebars of the shopping cart. And you know what? I bet that child is going to be just fine.
Do I even need to discuss the over-use of antibiotics? I didn't think so. I mean, if we're talking a severe infection with a fever and all that, for the love of all that is holy, get your child some antibiotics! But a sniffle with nothing more than a low-grade fever? No diagnosis of infection? Prescription for Amoxicillin "just in case?" I wouldn't go there.
Of course, as I've said, the biggest issue I have with the clean craze (aside from the total robbing of one's childhood) is the burden it puts on women, particularly Mom, to keep the kids safe from any and all things germy. A child that gnaws on a shopping cart handle, eats mud, or decides that the contents of the kitty litter box is candy may very well contract a virus, an infection, a parasite... but that's why we have medicine. Preemptive treatments -- that is, the treatments that rob us of our natural abilities to fight off the bad stuff -- are well-known to put us at greater risk, and from that no one benefits. Of course, waiting until an illness pops up doesn't make a lot of money, especially to the P&Gs of the world. So we create problems, then sell the stuff to fix it. And when it comes to such pervasive indoctrination of entire generations, we gotta start 'em early:
For the rest of you, let your kids' filth flags fly!
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