Growing up in the 1960s and 70s, parenting was a whole different ballgame. What we considered normal child-rearing practices back then would probably get Child Protective Services called today. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and look at some parenting rules that were common in our day but would raise more than a few eyebrows in modern times.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Kids Riding in the Back of Pickup Trucks
- 2 2. Babies Sleeping on Their Stomachs
- 3 3. “Go Play Outside Until Dark”
- 4 4. Smoking Around Children
- 5 5. Physical Discipline Was Expected
- 6 6. No Car Seats or Seat Belts
- 7 7. Unsupervised Bike Riding
- 8 8. Kids as Babysitters
- 9 9. Lead Paint and Asbestos
- 10 10. No Sunscreen
- 11 11. Hands-Off Parenting
- 12 12. Junk Food as Rewards
- 13 13. Secondhand Clothes Were the Norm
1. Kids Riding in the Back of Pickup Trucks
Back then, it was perfectly normal to pile a bunch of kids in the back of a pickup truck for a ride to the swimming hole or even to school. No seatbelts, no safety rails – just the wind in our hair and the occasional bug in our teeth. Parents would simply yell “Hold on tight!” and off we’d go, treating every bump in the road like a mini roller coaster ride.
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2. Babies Sleeping on Their Stomachs
Every baby book and grandmother swore that babies should sleep on their stomachs. Cribs were filled with soft blankets, pillows, and plush bumpers – all things that would give today’s pediatricians heart palpitations. We even put them to sleep with bottles propped up on blankets, a practice that would be considered negligent today.
3. “Go Play Outside Until Dark”
Parents would literally kick us out of the house after breakfast with instructions not to return until dinner time. No cell phones, no GPS tracking, no scheduled activities – just kids roaming the neighborhood in packs, making their own fun. We’d explore construction sites, climb trees, and venture miles from home without any adult supervision.
4. Smoking Around Children
Parents smoked everywhere – in the car with the windows up, at the dinner table, while helping with homework. Nobody thought twice about lighting up around kids, and ashtrays were as common as TV trays in every room. Even doctors would sometimes smoke during pediatric appointments!
5. Physical Discipline Was Expected
Spanking wasn’t just accepted – it was expected. Parents who didn’t physically discipline their children were considered too permissive. The wooden spoon, belt, or switch was a common threat, and nobody batted an eye when it was carried out in public. “Spare the rod, spoil the child” was taken quite literally.
6. No Car Seats or Seat Belts
Babies rode in mom’s lap or in unsecured plastic carriers, while toddlers stood on the front seat or bounced around in the back. Long car trips meant making a bed in the back of the station wagon, complete with pillows and blankets. The family car was basically a rolling playground without a single safety restraint in sight.
7. Unsupervised Bike Riding
Kids would jump on their bikes and disappear for hours, no helmets, no pads, no adult supervision. We’d ride miles away from home, build makeshift ramps for stunts, and only the most serious injuries would warrant a trip home. Scraped knees and elbows were badges of honor, not cause for concern.
8. Kids as Babysitters
Ten-year-olds regularly watched their younger siblings for hours, sometimes even overnight. By twelve, many kids were babysitting for neighbors’ children, with no background checks or certifications required. Parents would leave a list of phone numbers and some cash for pizza, and that was considered perfectly responsible.
9. Lead Paint and Asbestos
Nobody thought twice about kids helping to scrape old paint or playing in attics filled with asbestos insulation. Home renovation projects were family affairs, with children pitching in without any protective gear. The dangers of these materials weren’t widely known or acknowledged until much later.
10. No Sunscreen
Sunburns were considered a normal part of summer. Parents would send kids out to play all day with no sun protection beyond maybe a baseball cap. Some even encouraged burning, believing it would “build up a base tan.” Baby oil and reflective tanning boards were common sights at the pool.
11. Hands-Off Parenting
Parents rarely intervened in children’s disputes or activities. Kids were expected to figure things out on their own, whether it was playground conflicts or dangerous activities. The phrase “kids will be kids” excused a multitude of risky behaviors that would horrify today’s parents.
12. Junk Food as Rewards
Candy, soda, and other sugary treats were standard rewards for good behavior. Nobody worried about childhood obesity or dental health. Every adult seemed to have a candy drawer or cookie jar, and nobody monitored kids’ sugar intake. Even teachers used candy as classroom incentives.
13. Secondhand Clothes Were the Norm
Hand-me-downs weren’t just accepted – they were expected. Kids wore their older siblings’ clothes without complaint, and clothes were passed between families without a second thought. Patches on knees and elbows were badges of thrift, not poverty, and nobody worried about their kids having the latest fashions.
