Many parents will say that childhood used to be more carefree and relaxed. However, most parents today would probably never allow their children to do the things their parents allowed them to do in the 1980s.
It's not that parents in the 80s were careless or irresponsible. Parents today have greater access to a variety of information and research than their parents did. It often seems that childhood was carefree back then, so most parents today marvel at the parenting style of that time.
1. They left their children at home alone
A few decades ago, it was common for parents to leave their children at home until they returned from work. Many children came home from school, did their homework, did household chores and even made dinner. The children were already independent enough. Nowadays, most parents don't even allow young children to be alone in the bathroom, let alone 6-year-olds at home alone.
Photo: Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash2. The children rode without bicycle helmets
It's not that helmets didn't exist, it's just that the "cool kids" never wore them, but even parents didn't worry that much about whether a child came home with a scratch or a bruise. The kids who wore a helmet or any kind of knee pads and such were definitely in the minority. But it is true that there used to be much less traffic than nowadays. Today, children on bicycles must wear a protective helmet until the age of 18. In addition, parents are well aware of the horror stories of brain injuries.
3. Children drove without car seats
Yes, car seats existed back then, but most parents didn't use them, and they certainly weren't as modern and almost space-like as today's models. Sometimes the children even rode without a seat belt and moved freely in the back seats. Car seats are now mandatory equipment in every car to keep children safer in traffic.
4. Children were playing everywhere
Today parents not only do not allow their children to play alone, but also watch where children play and what they play with. In the 80s, parents did not see their children for several hours, as they played carefree around the neighborhood until late in the evening.
5. Parents did not complicate food
In the 80s it was important to be practical and that was the whole art around food. Children of that time had to eat whatever was put on the table, without worrying that they might prefer to eat something else. There was also no study of foods and which ones are good for the child. It is true that in those days there were fewer foods available in stores than today, but they were healthier and less genetically processed.
6. The children drank only tap water
In the 1980s, children could easily drink tap water as bottled water was not available. Parents are much more careful these days, so many drink only purchased bottled water or use filters that purify the water, because in many places ordinary tap water is no longer healthy.
Photo: Phil Goodwin/Unsplash7. The older children looked after the younger ones
Parents let older children have younger brothers or sisters under their care. Today, parents hardly let, for example, 8-year-olds stay home alone with 3-year-olds. Nowadays, only adults and verified individuals who are sufficiently qualified to care for children take care of childcare.
8. Children were allowed to watch horror movies
In the 80s, children watched absolutely everything on TV, so it often happened that children in elementary school already knew all the most popular horror films, and often had nightmares because of it. Today, there is parental control on television for this, which ensures that children do not access inappropriate content.
