Parenting in the 1970s was a lot different from what you see today. Back then, parents gave kids more freedom and responsibility, with fewer rules and less oversight. The way families handled safety, discipline, and independence reflected a different set of cultural norms.
You might be surprised at some of the choices parents made in the ’70s that wouldn’t be considered acceptable now. This article takes a look at five examples of those old-school parenting moves that don’t quite line up with modern standards.
Kids walking to school alone without supervision
Back in the ’70s, it was pretty normal for kids like you to walk to school on your own. Parents trusted you to cross streets and navigate the neighborhood safely.
Nowadays, this would raise a lot of concerns. Many parents feel it’s safer to drive kids or arrange group walks.
You might find it surprising how much times have changed. What once seemed like normal independence now feels risky to most families.
Riding in cars without seatbelts
Back in the ’70s, you could often find kids riding in cars without any seatbelts on. It was normal for children to sit in the front seat or even lie down across the back without being buckled up.
Car seats were optional, and many families didn’t use them at all. Today, you know how important it is to have everyone properly secured, especially kids. The rules and attitudes about car safety have changed a lot since then.
Playing outside until dark with no check-ins
Back in the ’70s, you could spend the whole day outside without checking in with your parents. The rule was often simple: be home when the streetlights came on.
You’d roam the neighborhood, bike around, and play with friends with no one constantly watching or calling.
Today, that kind of freedom feels risky to many parents. But back then, unsupervised outdoor play was just part of growing up.
Using lawn darts and other risky toys
Back in the ’70s, lawn darts were a common backyard game. You tossed heavy metal-tipped darts toward a plastic ring on the grass, and it was all fun until someone got hurt. Those sharp points made lawn darts more dangerous than they looked.
Other toys from that era also had risky designs that wouldn’t meet today’s safety standards. You and your friends probably played with stuff that would be banned now. The idea of letting kids handle these kinds of toys today might surprise you.
Watching unlimited TV without parental controls
In the ’70s, you could watch TV as much as you wanted without much worry. There were no digital parental controls to limit your screen time or what shows you could see.
You might have spent hours glued to cartoons or old sitcoms, even if some weren’t exactly made for kids. Parents generally trusted you to navigate what you watched on your own.
Sometimes, simple gadgets like channel lock boxes were used, but they weren’t very secure. If you were determined, you could still get to whatever show caught your interest.
