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Subject: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&70s
I wasn't sure where to post this email that I got from a friend but since we were both born in 1970, I thought I would include it here though obviously it fits in the pre-70s thread, too. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did! :)
Looking back, it's hard to believe that we have lived as long as we have... As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a pickup truck on a warm day was always a special treat. Our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paint. We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors, or cabinets, and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets. (Not to mention hitchhiking to town as a young kid!) We drank water from the
garden hose and not from a bottle. Horrors.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then rode down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times we learned to solve the problem. We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day.
No cell phones. Unthinkable. We played dodgeball and sometimes the ball would really hurt. We got cut and broke bones and broke teeth, and there were no law suits from these accidents. They were accidents. No one was to blame, but us. Remember accidents? We had fights and punched each other and got black and blue and learned to get over it.
We ate cupcakes, bread and butter, and drank sugar soda but we were never overweight ... we were always outside playing. We shared one grape soda with four friends, from one bottle and no one died from this.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo 64, X-Boxes, video games at all, 99 channels on cable, video tape movies, surround sound, personal cell phones, Personal computers, Internet chat rooms ...we had friends. We went outside and found them. We rode bikes or walked to a friend's home and knocked on the door, or rung the bell or just walked in and talked to them. Imagine such a thing. Without asking a parent! By ourselves! Out there in the cold cruel world! Without a guardian. How did we do it?
We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and ate worms and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes, nor did the worms live inside us forever. Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't, had to learn to deal with disappointment..... Some students weren't as smart as others so they failed a grade and were held back to repeat the same grade.....Horrors. Tests were not adjusted for any reason.
Our actions were our own. Consequences were expected. No one to hide behind. The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke a law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law, imagine that!
This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers and problem solvers and inventors, ever. The past 50 years has been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.
And you're one of them. Congratulations! Please pass this on to others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before lawyers and government regulated our lives, for our own good.
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
I had this sent to me too and I was amazed how closely it difined my life. I used to think that kids had it good today but really the best times were before current technology and litigation.
I was born in 66 so was a kid in the 70's, the last great decade to experiance youth in.
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Nice one, Syanne. It's true.
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
My dad had a convertable. I remember we used to sit on top of the back seat as he drove down the road with the top down. We didn't think nothing of it. Now, I refused to get into a car without putting a seat belt on.
My honey told me about this time when he saw some kids playing outside. One said, "Let's play 'The Cosby Show.'" Someone else said, "What episode?" Instead of making up their own. We used to do that all the time. (I remember playing "Lost in Space" when I was kid.) I hate to say it but kids don't use their imagination when they play. They need the special effects and graphic detail instead of making it up for themselves. It is so much easier to watch the movie than it is to read the book.
Cat
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Those were the days, especially for kids. Today's kids could definitely use some of that old-fashioned wholesomeness and predominantly danger-free days. :-/
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Oh man did this bring back memories! Summer time, driving out to the lake and us 5 kids riding in the back of dad's pick up truck...no seat belts, no restraints of any kind....sitting up on the wheel well for that extra rush of air...man those were the days...*sigh*
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Hits home doesn't it? ;)
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Quoting:
Those were the days, especially for kids. Today's kids could definitely use some of that old-fashioned wholesomeness and predominantly danger-free days. :-/
End Quote
More like, PARANOIA-free, and freedom-loving and responsibility-aware. Thank God I just barely missed all the "suit of armor" legislation-days growing up. Imagine even being a teenager having to wear 1 of those stupid helmets on a bike! No freakin' way!
I rode bikes for miles per day, mostly w/friends and cousins, and what's the worst that happened to me? Well, I DID break my arm crashing into a car that came by rite as I went down our (hill) driveway. But that could have been alot worse. Wow, I didn't break my head! And actually, that's the worst thing I think ever happened to me, period. Otherwise, I once took a sharp 90-deg path turn too fast and fell - it hurt a bit and I was upset, and my cousin walked me home.
I also fell off a friend's swingset (standing on the A frame or something) on a hot day and managed to conk myself out. She took me into her house somehow and called my parents. I woke up a bit later. I had 2 small burns on my arm - I guess from the hot metal or even the grass - whose scars you can still barely make out today.
Otherwise, I sledded down our big hill which ends at our roadway, rode in the backs of P/Us alot, and all the rest and I'm alive and well. I also know the joys of unrestricted physical freedom! Too many kids are too sheltered now. Heavens they should stub a toe!
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
I do have to mention I have nothing against a couple things from today, as restrictive as they sound.
After all, these things do help prevent injury/death to children.
And anything that helps prevent injury/death to children has my absolute vote:
1) Seatbelts (keep children in the vehicle as opposed to being thrown out to their deaths. Family experience helped me appreciate that)
2) Bicycle Helmets & Pads Equipment (keep children from acquiring coma/death inducing head injuries - higher incidence than you think)
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Quoting:
I do have to mention I have nothing against a couple things from today, as restrictive as they sound.
After all, these things do help prevent injury/death to children.
And anything that helps prevent injury/death to children has my absolute vote:
1) Seatbelts (keep children in the vehicle as opposed to being thrown out to their deaths. Family experience helped me appreciate that)
2) Bicycle Helmets & Pads Equipment (keep children from acquiring coma/death inducing head injuries - higher incidence than you think)
End Quote
I am sorry about your own experiences.
Life is a gamble and a risk. If we're really worried about safety, everyone should be in strait-jackets in padded rooms w/round walls. And it's a good thing for children to learn - actions have consequences (including disobeying your parents). I can't think of 1 person in my life who had any such problems; I know that's anecdotal, but I will bet alot of anecdotes would go along w/mine. Frankly, I think the risk is small and not worth losing freedom - either physically or legally. Certainly being forced to use them and being legally penalized for not doing it is wrong. Such unfair regulations are completely morally bereft. None of us should ever be forced to do something we don't want. That's right, even if it's "for your own good". (I also find it's a great way for various companies to make money - people are forced to buy their products to comply w/the "law".)
Those who would sacrifice a little liberty for safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Ask Ben Franklin. (And neither do they receive it - as the police state takes over and jails and kills you for nothing. Some safety!)
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Quoting:
Life is a gamble and a risk. If we're really worried about safety, everyone should be in strait-jackets in padded rooms w/round walls. And it's a good thing for children to learn - actions have consequences (including disobeying your parents). I can't think of 1 person in my life who had any such problems; I know that's anecdotal, but I will bet alot of anecdotes would go along w/mine. Frankly, I think the risk is small and not worth losing freedom - either physically or legally. Certainly being forced to use them and being legally penalized for not doing it is wrong. Such unfair regulations are completely morally bereft. None of us should ever be forced to do something we don't want. That's right, even if it's "for your own good". End Quote
I understand that is your opinion. I will express my thoughts in response, which are also just my opinion.
Life is not a gamble or a risk. Gambles and risks are choices people make.
It is my opinion that Seatbelts & Bicycle Helmets are absolutely necessary for children who can have accidents regardless of how well they have been taught about safety and consequences. Often, they are not even at fault.
It is the responsible thing.
These particular laws came about because evidently, some parents needed to have those responsibilities laid out for them and enforced. :-/
It's easy to talk of freedoms, but hard to consider all of the angles, situations and general population. Also, to say "the risk is small and not worth losing freedom" is naive.
Experience can be a tough teacher.
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Quoting:
It's easy to talk of freedoms, but hard to consider all of the angles, situations and general population. Also, to say "the risk is small and not worth losing freedom" is naive.
Experience can be a tough teacher.
End Quote
Yup, we all have opinions. I need to expand a bit, speaking of naivete.
It's easy to talk about needing regulations and nothing bad coming of it when you live in a place (all too) complacent in its freedom. Again, see the Founders. Not to mention the many other much more heinous situations around the world where tyrants declared "it'll be good for you". Speaking of experience. That's something I'd much rather avoid, their kind of "safety". I'll take care of that myself, thanks.
And it's still wrong to force anyone to do something which is not hurting anyone else's rights.
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Love it! It's a great, true story. One thing needs mentioning about today in comparison of our childhood is that we were taught to respect our elders. These kids today are punks. It's as simple as that. I have an 8 year old son who is being brought up as I was. And that is to respect your elders, say thank you, God bless you, so on and so forth. Why is it so hard for parents of today to be like our parents and teach these kids morals? It's not difficult. Smack their little a** if need be. These kids walk around with there pants down to their ankles and have a look on their puss like someone owes them the world.
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Quoting:
Yup, we all have opinions. I need to expand a bit, speaking of naivete.
It's easy to talk about needing regulations and nothing bad coming of it when you live in a place (all too) complacent in its freedom. Again, see the Founders. Not to mention the many other much more heinous situations around the world where tyrants declared "it'll be good for you". Speaking of experience. That's something I'd much rather avoid, their kind of "safety". I'll take care of that myself, thanks.
And it's still wrong to force anyone to do something which is not hurting anyone else's rights.
End Quote
I do agree with you to an extent. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who think that conformity is the way things should be done. People who think outside the box, who have different beliefs, or even people who dress differently, are looked upon with contempt. I am talking about people who are not of the Judeo-Christian religions, homosexuals, people of certain ethnic or gender groups and people who just like to express their individuality. All of this is called discrimanation-no matter how people try to make it sound softer.
But, unfortunately, we do need some regulations. I will give you one example why. If everyone drove their cars every which way, it would be total chaos. The regulations of the road-i.e. driving on the right, stopping at red lights, etc., are there for everyone's protection.
Cat
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Quoting:
I do agree with you to an extent. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who think that conformity is the way things should be done. People who think outside the box, who have different beliefs, or even people who dress differently, are looked upon with contempt. I am talking about people who are not of the Judeo-Christian religions, homosexuals, people of certain ethnic or gender groups and people who just like to express their individuality. All of this is called discrimanation-no matter how people try to make it sound softer.
But, unfortunately, we do need some regulations. I will give you one example why. If everyone drove their cars every which way, it would be total chaos. The regulations of the road-i.e. driving on the right, stopping at red lights, etc., are there for everyone's protection.
Cat
End Quote
Are you saying that only people who are not Jewish or Christian are so called (victims) of discrimination? Watch the news lately? Those Muslims are a peaceful bunch!
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Quoting:
Are you saying that only people who are not Jewish or Christian are so called (victims) of discrimination? Watch the news lately? Those Muslims are a peaceful bunch!
End Quote
You are right. What I meant is that people who do not believe the same as others-and you see that since the beginning on time. It really doesn't matter what religion someone is. People have been discrimated and even murdered for their beliefs-whatever they may be.
Cat
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
In the 60s and 70s, when I grew up, I made my own entertainment. Due to illness in the early part of my life, I was late learning to read. Once I could read, I spent as much time as I could in the local library or small local museum. Other times I could be found at the local pool or in the park.
My own son is now 16, he reads well, enjoying authors like Charles Dickens. In the spirit of making our own entertainment, he is also a competant swimmer and a yellow belt in Karate.
My husband is 9 years older than I, and still remembers the tail end of rationing and making do and mend.
Although spoilt for choice on TV, and with the internet, it is good to turn all of the technology off and play games (Trivial Pursuit is favorite) or talk to each other or read or any number of other things as a family or independently! We are also able to include our elderly neighbours and other family members in our games, and all the family teenagers are well behaved and polite!
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Just found this on my favorite humor site. (Or favourite humour site.)
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
I can remember being a child in the sixties! In the summer I spent all day at my friend's house (I was about 8 -- she 6) -- her parents worked so we were unsupervised except for her 12 year-old sister who was "slow." We played with dangerous (by today's standards) electrical toys like Thingmaker and Easy Bake Oven. We lit candles in the basement. We climbed the ladder at the side of the house and jumped down from the 8th rung. We swung on a flimsy swingset that sat up on a three foot embankment and "pumped" forward alarmingly when you went too high. And we didn't break our necks or burn the house down. And my parents, who were rather overprotective, thought nothing of letting me play there. Those were the days!
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
This definitely brings back memories. The most sophisticated toy we had was stretch armstrong and big wheels were the thing. computers were definitely unheard of when and where I grew up. I feel sorry for my children in a way because although we have better safety standards now, they will never know the freedom of running round the neighborhood with the gang until the streetlights come on.
It seems like my children take so much for granted now. For example, The Wizard of Oz is playing on tv tonite, and we have it on DVD (kids are watching it anyway :))but I explained to them that The Wizard of Oz used to be a once a year thing. We didn't have dvd or vhs back in the day so it was something to look forward to (you remember when UHF was all that was available and there were only 13 channels? :)). My children just kind of looked at me, and my daughter said, "You didn't have dvd? I'm sorry mommy." Well, I'm the one that is sorry...for them.
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
The first memory I have was when I was 3 (1963) and we lived in Paris, France. My Mom says that I used to listen to the radio (Some things never change) and play the songs on the piano while waiting for the school bus....of course I don't remember that....I remember getting dropped off one day and knocking on our apartment door, but nobody answered. The lady across the hall heard me and invited me in for some candy....ah the innocence of those days gone by. Anyway, my mom had been in the shower and it wasn't very long before I was back in my apartment. We moved back to Colorado Springs on December 31, 1964 (Yes I missed the Beatles appearance on Ed Sullivan >:( and I remember my red wagon and tricycle. I was the baby (Closest sister 5 years older and closest Brother 10 years older) in a family of 5. I clearly recall, in 1967, going with my brother to pick up his friend...he lived next door to Peggy Fleming (The Famous Ice Skater) and I remember meeting her! As for toys and playing...I played with my Hot Wheels cars inside and my Tonka Trucks outside. We lived near a sand dune, and me & my friends used to go there and pretend we were on a far away planet....oh how much fun it was to actually use your imagination and not have all the distractions of today (Viedeo Games-Teleivision...ect.) We didn't have much of anything so we didn't miss it. I have tried, in raising my family, to show them real fun...like playing football or catch with a baseball...as a family. Now they are growing up (And so am I) but no matter what happens in my relationship...they will always know that I love them. Back to the subject! Being the youngest was great..I got exposed to the Beatles when I was about 5 because my sisters owned all thier Lp's, and I was able to learn a lot from my older siblings....as for toys...it was pretty simple...basketballs, footballs, creepy-crawlers, Space maps from McDonalds....Food of course....Trix cereal before they messed with it and Fizzies! More later.....you've been warned :D
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Quoting:
I am sorry about your own experiences.
Life is a gamble and a risk. If we're really worried about safety, everyone should be in strait-jackets in padded rooms w/round walls. And it's a good thing for children to learn - actions have consequences (including disobeying your parents). I can't think of 1 person in my life who had any such problems; I know that's anecdotal, but I will bet alot of anecdotes would go along w/mine. Frankly, I think the risk is small and not worth losing freedom - either physically or legally. Certainly being forced to use them and being legally penalized for not doing it is wrong. Such unfair regulations are completely morally bereft. None of us should ever be forced to do something we don't want. That's right, even if it's "for your own good". (I also find it's a great way for various companies to make money - people are forced to buy their products to comply w/the "law".)
Those who would sacrifice a little liberty for safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Ask Ben Franklin. (And neither do they receive it - as the police state takes over and jails and kills you for nothing. Some safety!)
End Quote
Sorry to disagree, OlLine, but let's run through this.
Seat belts. They save lives and reduce injuries. Agreed? You don't like being forced to wear them. So you don't and have an accident.
What would have been a split lip, if you had been wearing a seat belt, turns into broken ribs and a concussion. You're rushed to an emergency room and are admitted to a hospital.
And that costs money. That doesn't matter, you say, I have insurance. First, because you and yours weren't wearing seatbelts the insurance company has to pay out. That affects insurance rates -- yours and mine.
That doesn't matter, you say. I'm insured through work. Whatever the cost of your insurance policy is is money you're not making as wages. So even if you aren't directly paying for insurance, the money in your pocket is directly related to the cost of insurance. And medical and insurance costs have exploded in the past thirty years.
If your indigent and uninsured the cost of your care is coming out of state, city and county taxes.
Anyone who religiously wears seatbelts is justified in asking anyone who doesn't: Why do you expect us to subsidize your irresponsibility?
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
I was in a nasty accident many years ago. I really don't know what kind of condition I would have been in if I wasn't wearing my seatbelt-am I am very glad that I didn't have to find out.
Cat
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
;D Being a child of the '70s, (I was born in '71) this is perfect and so-ooo cool. My Mom, who is a '60s child, can relate to this too. I love this!
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
This really sent me back to a simpler time when parents didn't have to worry about us being snatched out of the yard. Drugs? What were drugs? We heard rumors of truck drivers popping some sort of pill to stay awake, but that was out of our reach. The only bad habits our parents warned us against were smoking and drinking. Marijuana smoking was something they did in San Francisco, a whole universe away. A bad influence was the high school dropout with the flashy, fast car that you thought was so cool, but you were forbidden to associate with him because your parents feared you would dropout too. The biggest danger you faced was Mr. Gwyn's bull when you cut through his pasture to get to the neighborhood swimming hole. Anyway, I really enjoyed the article...thanks. ;)
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
URLIn the 70s no public school had uniforms,and not in the 80s either.Most areas allowed fireworks because they were fundraisers and most people weren't stupid enoughto misuse them.We had Marathon bars and Chocolite bars--and the big ones were 25 cents!Metal lunch boxes--kids didn't use them as weapons in thoise days.Cheers!
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
i was born in '63' and i had a great childhood, we had one of those blocks where everyone knew each other and all the kids played together,we usually cogregated at my friends house playing "kick the can" "freeze tag" "tag your it" just to name a few "yard games"we'd play,up until our mother would stand in our front yard a couple houses away a yell our names until we answered to come home and eat.
we had to have imaginations back then,there was no computer then (that was something you'd see in a sci-fi movie),no video games, i had an easy-bake oven and i loved it, i'd go over my friends house on sundays after church to see if she could "play" if she did'nt have all her yard work done to her dad specifications i would stay and help her until she could leave,we were out all day,no cell phones,pagers, we drank soda all day and candy,and still ate our supper, back then you could actually buy candy for a penny,"penny candy', we grew up in a 'horse town' where we would ride horses all day, we would put on our own horse shows and dog shows,a dollar would go a long way back then.
we would ride double on bikes i would usually ride on the handlebars,(remember that) or ride our bikes for a couple blocks with no hands. we made forts in our back yrds, my brother made a dirt bike track in the back yrd for him and his friends complete with jumps and everything.(with no helmets)
i even had a pony with a pony cart that fit 3 people me and my friends would go all over town in that cart,with no adult to watch over us. and parents were even allowed to spank our behinds if we needed or deserved it (and we did).
i remember my childhood fondly,sometimes i wish i could go back to that simple time in life.
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
I think if some of yoos guys, Syanne, Cat, Rebel, Hairspray, et. al. were running this country, the world would be a better place! Why don't we take over, get rid of the buttheads in office now, and straighten out the mess we're in? Use the values we grew up with, c'mon I'm with you, our friend in the UK will join us, in Africa, Egypt, and Israel too! C'mon everyone let's get on the love train, hep-pa, vamos arriba y no te apures!
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
Quoting:
i was born in '63' and i had a great childhood, we had one of those blocks where everyone knew each other and all the kids played together,we usually cogregated at my friends house playing "kick the can" "freeze tag" "tag your it" just to name a few "yard games"we'd play,up until our mother would stand in our front yard a couple houses away a yell our names until we answered to come home and eat.
we had to have imaginations back then,
End Quote
This sounds like my neighborhood in the mid 60's (minus the horses) and the games we used to play. I just shake my head in amusement when I hear children nowadays say, "I'm bored... There's nothing to do!"
Who was it that said, "Youth is wasted on the young"?
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
I had read that posting somewhere else before. It does bring back memories of a "more safe and secure" time. I was born in 1961, and I try to share as many of the stories of my childhood as I can with my daughter, Miranda, who is 13. Miranda always listens with rapt interest as her grandparents share stories of my youth (and I have to laugh and/or cry at many of the stories, because they are such wonderful memories.)
It's nice to remember -- and to share. :)
Subject: Re: Read this if you were a child between the 40s&
ai't that the truth, or they sit in front of the t.v. flipping thru the 100 or so channels and say there is nothin on, when i was a kid we were made to go out side and find something to do, we couldn't just watch t.v. all day,and we only had about7 channels anyway.
Quoting:
This sounds like my neighborhood in the mid 60's (minus the horses) and the games we used to play. I just shake my head in amusement when I hear children nowadays say, "I'm bored... There's nothing to do!"
Who was it that said, "Youth is wasted on the young"?
End Quote