Blame it all on Sesame Street

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The drinking age was 18 back then. We were allowed to get dirty, play army men and the cartoons were violent.

The video below is very self rightious but what the narrator describes is really how it was.

I remember those days very well. I remember playing all day and life without the Internet. I also remember all the good treats I got to enjoy. I also remember taking Social Studies and Science tests without any accommodations. I remember the time I broke my right ankle ice skating. I'm glad they didn't file lawsuits against parents in those days. There would have been no one to take care of me while my ankle was mending.

I was allowed to walk several blocks alone at age 6 or 7 and take public transportation at age 12. Today parents can get arrested for that. There were no accomadations or special education you were just "slow". And they were allowed to kick you out which they did with me after second grade (A private school accepted me and my public school accepted me back for 5th grade). I was the target in dodgeball "games" a little too much. As for inviting youself in friends houses, you needed to actually have friends to do that. Still I think I was better off growing up then, then I would be now.

Back somewhat on topic all our problems were blamed on Dr. Spock's child care books.

^ Yeah, things have really become hysterical these days. I'm very glad I grew up at the time when I did, as the last generation to experience a 'traditional' childhood. I wouldn't wanna trade the relative freedom I had growing up for anything.

It's madness. I have no other word for it. Kids without severe special needs should be able to do those things. I roamed the nearby area, just like other kids, and I started going downtown (not at night!) at 13, again, just like my peers, and just like I should. I wouldn't trade the late 70's to early/mid 90's for now for anything in the world. I'd take the laidback and more peaceful (here at least) past any day.