Mothers around the world have crafted simple genius statements to help guide their children in proper social behavior and avoid public shame.
Kenyan mothers are no different having passed down these myths from one generation to the next.
Here are five popular myths debunked.
"Don't sit close to the TV, it will make you go blind."
This is probably the most widespread of them all. It is a lie.
Ophthalmologists around the world agree that watching TV up close does not cause blindness or weaken the eyes.
Scientific research, however, shows that children's eyes are better able to focus at close distance without eyestrain than the eyes of adults.
"Don't read in dim light, it will damage your eyes."
This is closely related to the first. Kenyan mothers are keen to caution children from reading with candle light.
As with the first, it is a myth. Insufficient light may cause your eyes to struggle to see while reading but research has shown there is no permanent damage to eyesight as a result.
Mom, however, was right about carrots. Vitamin A, that gives the vegetable its distinctive orange colour, helps improve vision and prevent night blindness.
"If you swallow the seeds of a fruit, a tree will grow out of your stomach."
This is obviously not true. Some seeds pass through the digestive system without being digested while others are actually good for you.
Watermelon seeds, for example, when chewed and swallowed provide amounts of multivitamin B that surpass supplements.
"If you swallow gum it will tie up your intestines."
Just like the seeds, gum goes right through the digestive tract and comes out the other end.
In very rare instances does gum cause constipation, it has to have been swallowed in absurdly large quantities and combined with other fibre-deficient foods.
"If you get rained on you will grow taller."
This is a common belief held by many local speech groups, along with the taboo that no one should jump across your crossed legs because you may grow shorter or become impotent.
Culturally, the myth was propagated to ensure that children conducted themselves with decorum.
Past puberty, it is near impossible to experience further developmental changes.
