Agreed.If 'dirty conditions' were so prevelent 'back in the day' why didn't more people habe the longevity of your uncle and mother? They are still outliers, which speaks more to genetics than to exposure to germs.
If your personal immunity was more the 'norm' why did they give out an attendence award? Shouldn't perfect attendence have been commonplace according to your argument?
As far as allergies in kids today vs in the past there are numerous reasons, more than soley lack of exposure to germs at play. For one think more is known about allergies and how they present themselves in kids, from eczema, inflammation, and minor to serious digestive issues. Another thing, it is more socially acceptable to have allergies. Also, food packed in bph plastic, increased hormones and genetically altered foods, even how agri-giants have monicultured crops willall also be factors.
In my OPINION it's too simplistic to say a "dirty" environment was all that is needed for superior immunity. Every single person from the 1950's, 1800's, 1700's etc would of lived forever. Every one lived in dirty/contaminated environments, ate organic food, and worked hard for a living. What was the average life expectancy in the 1800's?!? Modern medicine has helped us develop many ailments. How many people on this forum should still be alive without modern medicine? I know I should be dead. At 12 I was stung by a bee. Didn't have an allergic reaction or anything like that. But an inflammatory response is a normal response with stings. What was different with me is that my body decided to send all that inflammation to my kidneys and I developed life threatening Nerphrotic Syndrome. Again not an allergy. I was treated and a year later everything was resolved. If I had been born 50 years early I would of died. I'm not and my wife gave birth earlier this year. My 6 month old daughter was born 1 month early and spent 10 days on a respirator. She should be dead. Is that because of my inferior genes that nature tried to cull when I was 12?!? Who knows...but ask friends and family and see who all would still be alive after puberty if it weren't for modern medicine...