The 1980s were a time of big hair, neon colors, and parenting styles that would raise eyebrows today. Back then, many parenting practices that seemed perfectly normal would now be seen as unsafe, outdated, or even downright shocking. While these trends reflected the times, they remind us just how much parenting has changed over the decades. Here are 14 outdated parenting trends from the ’80s that would spark outrage today.
1. Letting Kids Ride Without Seatbelts
In the ’80s, seatbelt laws weren’t as strict—or as widely followed—as they are now. It wasn’t uncommon for kids to pile into the backseat without buckling up or even ride in the front seat well before it was considered safe. Some parents even let kids stretch out in the back of station wagons or cargo areas of SUVs during long road trips.
Today, the thought of driving without a properly secured car seat or seatbelt is unthinkable. Studies and safety campaigns have highlighted the dangers, leading to stricter laws and safer practices. What once seemed like harmless convenience now feels like a major safety oversight.
2. Smoking Around Kids
In the 1980s, smoking was still widely accepted, and many parents smoked indoors, in cars, and even at family gatherings without a second thought. Restaurants, airplanes, and other public spaces were filled with secondhand smoke, and kids often had no choice but to breathe it in.
The dangers of secondhand smoke are now well-documented, and laws banning smoking in enclosed spaces have become the norm. Today, lighting up near children would be met with harsh criticism, a sign of how much attitudes toward smoking have evolved.
3. Allowing Kids to Play Unsupervised for Hours
“Go outside and don’t come back until dinner!” was a common refrain in the ’80s. Kids were often left to roam the neighborhood or explore the local woods for hours without adult supervision. It was seen as a way to foster independence and creativity, and few parents worried about the potential dangers.
Today, unsupervised play is much rarer, with “helicopter parenting” and safety concerns taking precedence. While some lament the loss of free-range childhoods, modern parents are far more cautious about letting their kids wander without adult oversight.
4. Spanking as Discipline
Corporal punishment was a widely accepted form of discipline in the ’80s, with many parents believing that a quick spanking was the best way to teach a lesson. It wasn’t uncommon for schools to have paddles in the principal’s office, and parents often supported these methods.
Modern parenting trends have largely moved away from physical discipline, with research showing its negative long-term effects on children’s mental health and behavior. Today, spanking is controversial and often sparks heated debates, with many experts advocating for more constructive approaches to discipline.
5. Letting Kids Sit on a Parent’s Lap While Driving
For toddlers and young children, riding on a parent’s lap while driving wasn’t just common—it was often seen as a fun treat. Parents would let their kids “steer” the car in empty parking lots or quiet streets, a seemingly innocent way to entertain them during a drive.
With today’s emphasis on car safety and strict child restraint laws, this practice would be considered reckless and illegal. What was once a cute bonding moment is now recognized as a major safety hazard, highlighting how much driving norms have changed.
6. Using Walkers with Wheels
Baby walkers with wheels were a popular item in the ’80s, allowing infants to zoom around the house before they could walk on their own. Parents loved the freedom these devices gave them to multitask while their baby explored.
However, the risk of accidents—such as babies tipping over, falling down stairs, or reaching dangerous objects—led to a ban on certain types of walkers in the U.S. in the 1990s. Today, most parents opt for stationary activity centers, and wheeled walkers are considered a relic of a less safety-conscious era.
7. Feeding Babies Formula Almost Exclusively
While breastfeeding has always been an option, the ’80s saw a strong cultural preference for formula feeding. Many hospitals even gave new moms free formula samples, and breastfeeding rates were significantly lower than they are today.
Modern parenting trends have swung back toward breastfeeding, with campaigns promoting its health benefits and hospitals adopting “baby-friendly” initiatives to encourage it. Though formula feeding is still a valid choice, the cultural shift toward breastfeeding has made the exclusive use of formula feel outdated in many circles.
8. Laissez-Faire Attitudes Toward Helmets
In the ’80s, helmets were far from mandatory for bike riding, skateboarding, or even rollerblading. Kids would zip down streets or tackle ramps with their heads completely unprotected, and few parents thought twice about it. Helmets, if used, were often poorly designed and rarely enforced.
Today, helmet use is strongly encouraged, and many states have laws requiring them for children. The focus on preventing head injuries has made the carefree days of helmet-free riding feel like a risky relic of the past.
9. Leaving Kids Alone in the Car
Running into the store for a quick errand while leaving the kids in the car was a common practice in the ’80s. Parents assumed their kids would be fine for a few minutes, especially if the car was parked in the shade or the weather was mild.
Now, leaving children unattended in a car is not only frowned upon but also illegal in many places. Concerns about kidnapping, overheating, and other dangers have made this once-normal practice a major parenting no-no.
10. Sending Kids to the Store Alone
In the ’80s, it wasn’t unusual for parents to send their kids to the corner store with a few dollars to pick up groceries—or even cigarettes. It was seen as a way to teach responsibility and independence, and most parents trusted their kids to handle the task.
Today, the idea of sending a young child out alone, even for a short errand, would spark outrage. Increased awareness of safety concerns and a greater focus on parental supervision have all but ended this once-common practice.
11. Allowing TV Marathons
Saturday mornings in the ’80s often meant hours of cartoons with no interruptions. Parents saw television as a harmless way to keep kids entertained, and limits on screen time were rarely enforced. Some kids spent entire afternoons glued to their favorite shows without anyone worrying about the effects.
Today, the impact of excessive screen time on children’s development is well-documented, and most parents set strict limits on TV and device use. The casual attitude toward marathon viewing sessions feels outdated in a world where screens are everywhere.
12. Letting Kids Drink Soda Like Water
In the ’80s, soda was a staple in many households, often given to kids as casually as water or juice. It wasn’t uncommon for children to drink soda with meals, as an afternoon treat, or even at school functions. The health effects of sugary drinks weren’t a major concern for most families.
Today, the link between sugary beverages and childhood obesity has made soda a rare treat rather than a daily habit. Parents are more likely to encourage water or milk, and the thought of serving soda so freely feels wildly outdated.
13. Allowing Kids to Hitchhike
While hitchhiking was already on the decline by the ’80s, it wasn’t entirely unusual for teens to stick out a thumb for a ride—sometimes even with their parents’ approval. It was seen as an adventurous way to get around, especially in small towns or rural areas where everyone seemed to know each other.
Modern awareness of the risks associated with hitchhiking has made this practice nearly extinct. Allowing a child to hitchhike today would spark outrage, a reflection of how much more protective parenting has become.
The ’80s were a different time, and these outdated parenting trends reflect the cultural norms and priorities of the era. While some of these practices might spark fond memories, most of us are thankful for the advancements in safety and awareness that have transformed parenting today.
