Parenting in the 1960s was a whole different world compared to today. What was once considered normal would leave modern moms and dads shaking their heads—or running for the phone to call Child Protective Services. Parents back then weren’t neglectful; they just didn’t have the same information (or paranoia) that surrounds child-rearing today. Somehow, we made it through, but looking back, it’s amazing that we all survived some of these parenting trends.
1. Letting Kids Roam Free All Day Without Supervision
Back in the ’60s, kids were basically their own bosses from the moment they left the house until the streetlights came on. Parents assumed their children were safe as long as they didn’t hear sirens—or a neighbor knocking on the door with bad news. Today, the idea of kids being out of sight for hours at a time would send modern parents into a panic. NPR has debated whether it’s good or bad – or somewhere in between – that we know where our kids are all the time now.
Neighborhoods were treated like giant playgrounds, and kids hopped from yard to yard with no one keeping track of where they were. If you wanted to know where your friends were, you rode your bike around until you found them. Parents just trusted that kids would figure things out, which seems unfathomable in an era of GPS trackers and constant check-ins.
2. No Car Seats—or Seatbelts, for That Matter
Children in the ’60s were basically free-range passengers, bouncing around the backseat like pinballs. Most families didn’t own car seats, and if they did, they were flimsy, metal-framed contraptions that wouldn’t have stopped a kitten from tumbling out. Seatbelts were more of a suggestion than a rule, and many cars didn’t even have them in the back seats. As Safe in the Seat reports, car seat laws are almost alarmingly recent.
Babies often rode on their mother’s laps, and toddlers sometimes stood up in the front seat for a better view of the road. Long trips meant napping in the back window or stretched out on the floor of the car. Modern parents wouldn’t even consider starting the ignition without securely strapping their child into a five-point harness.
3. Smoking Around Kids—Even While Pregnant
Cigarettes were a fixture of adult life, and that included puffing away in the house, car, and even the doctor’s office. Expecting mothers smoked regularly, and doctors rarely warned them about the dangers. In fact, some advertisements even suggested smoking as a way to keep weight gain under control during pregnancy. These days, the smoking landscape looks very different, as reported by the CDC.
Kids grew up in homes filled with secondhand smoke, and no one batted an eye if a parent lit up at the dinner table. It wasn’t unusual for children to ride in smoke-filled cars with the windows rolled up. Today, the idea of exposing kids to even a whiff of cigarette smoke sends parents into a frenzy.
4. Spanking Was Just a Part of Parenting
Discipline in the ’60s was straightforward and often involved a wooden spoon, a belt, or a firm hand. Parents didn’t hesitate to give a quick swat in the grocery store or a smack on the behind for backtalk. The phrase “wait until your father gets home” struck fear into many kids’ hearts.
Corporal punishment wasn’t just accepted—it was expected, even in schools. Teachers and principals had paddles at the ready, and getting a few whacks for misbehavior was considered part of a good education. These days, parents favor time-outs and positive reinforcement, and physical punishment is widely condemned.
5. Playing with Dangerous Toys
Many ’60s toys would be considered lawsuits waiting to happen today. Chemistry sets came with real chemicals that could cause explosions or burns, and cap guns shot sparks that could ignite just about anything flammable. Jarts—metal-tipped lawn darts—were basically weapons disguised as family entertainment.
No one worried about small parts, sharp edges, or choking hazards, and kids were expected to figure out how to play safely on their own. Toys weren’t padded, safety-tested, or labeled with warnings. Somehow, most of us made it through without serious injury, but it’s a wonder that we did.
6. Letting Kids Ride in the Back of a Pickup Truck
Nothing felt cooler than riding down the road in the open bed of a pickup truck with the wind whipping through your hair. It didn’t matter that there was nothing between you and the pavement but your grip on the side of the truck. Parents thought of it as a fun way to get from place to place, not a life-threatening risk.
There were no laws against it, and kids could pile in with no concern for safety. Today, the idea of putting a child in the back of a moving truck is enough to make a modern parent break out in a cold sweat.
7. Home Alone at a Young Age
Latchkey kids were common in the ’60s, with many children letting themselves in after school and fending for themselves until their parents got home. There was no anxiety about leaving a responsible 7-year-old alone for a couple of hours. Babysitters weren’t always necessary, and calling home to check in wasn’t an option for most kids.
Parents trusted their children to make a snack, do their homework, and stay out of trouble. Today, even older kids often aren’t left home alone without a long list of emergency contacts and strict rules.
8. Drinking from the Garden Hose
If you got thirsty while playing outside, you didn’t go inside for filtered water—you drank straight from the garden hose. No one worried about bacteria, lead contamination, or chemicals leaching from the rubber. Water tasted a little like the hose itself, but it was refreshing on a hot day.
Parents never thought twice about where the water was coming from as long as it kept kids hydrated. Today’s parents would insist on a clean, BPA-free water bottle instead.
9. No Helmets for Bikes, Skateboards, or Roller Skates
Kids in the ’60s zoomed down the street on bikes, skateboards, and roller skates with nothing protecting their heads but their own sense of balance. Helmets weren’t part of the conversation, and neither were knee or elbow pads. If you fell, you dusted yourself off, maybe picked some gravel out of your skin, and kept going.
Parents didn’t worry about concussions or head injuries—it was just part of growing up. Today, no responsible parent would let their child ride anything on wheels without a helmet.
10. Eating Raw Cookie Dough Without Fear
Baking cookies meant sneaking bites of raw dough without a second thought. No one worried about salmonella or foodborne illness from raw eggs. Parents even handed kids the mixing spoon without a warning.
Now, warnings about raw eggs and unbaked flour make modern parents cautious. Back then, licking the bowl was part of the fun.
11. Letting Kids Drink Soda Anytime
Soda wasn’t a treat—it was just part of life. Parents didn’t worry about sugar or caffeine, and some kids even drank cola with breakfast. It wasn’t uncommon for a bottle of soda to be packed in a school lunch.
Today’s parents monitor sugar intake and limit soda consumption, fearing obesity and hyperactivity. Back then, a kid guzzling a soda didn’t raise any alarms.
12. No Concern About Food Allergies
Peanut butter sandwiches were a staple, and nobody worried about allergies. Birthday parties and school lunches weren’t nut-free zones. Parents didn’t rush kids to the doctor for minor allergic reactions.
Now, schools enforce strict food policies, and even a trace of peanuts can send some children into anaphylaxis. In the ’60s, allergies were rarely discussed, and EpiPens weren’t commonplace.
13. No Sunscreen, Just Baby Oil
Parents encouraged kids to get a tan, not protect their skin. People lathered up with baby oil, not SPF. Sunburn was seen as a minor inconvenience, not a cancer risk. It was all about getting that perfect golden glow, no matter the cost.
Today, parents slather kids in sunscreen, and many avoid too much sun exposure altogether. Back then, a deep tan was a sign of good health.
14. TV Dinners and Processed Food Every Night
Convenience was king, and parents loved TV dinners. Frozen meals were filled with sodium, preservatives, and mystery meat. Parents didn’t analyze ingredients like they do today, and dinner was often just a quick fix after a long day.
Now, parents stress about organic, non-GMO, and healthy meal choices. In the ’60s, if it was quick and easy, it was on the table.
15. No Baby-Proofing the House
There were no outlet covers, cabinet locks, or baby gates. Sharp corners and open stairs were just part of the home. Parents figured kids would learn to avoid danger on their own, and a few scrapes were seen as part of growing up.
Modern parents obsess over safety measures, but in the ’60s, bumps and bruises were just part of childhood.
Looking back at how kids were raised in the ’60s, it’s a wonder so many of us made it through in one piece. Parents weren’t careless—they just didn’t have the endless stream of safety warnings and parenting guides that exist today. While some of these trends make us shake our heads, there’s also something to be said for the independence and resilience they built. Times have changed, and while today’s parents might cringe at these old practices, there’s no denying that we all have some pretty unbelievable stories to tell because of them.
