The 1970s were a completely different world when it came to parenting. It was a time when kids were given more freedom and fewer restrictions, which led to plenty of adventures—and maybe a few scrapes along the way. What seems shocking or downright dangerous by today’s standards was just everyday life back then. Let’s take a look at 13 things parents let kids do in the 70s that would leave modern parents gasping.
1. Riding in Cars Without Seatbelts
Forget car seats and booster seats—many of us sat in the front seat with no seatbelt, or even sprawled out in the back of a station wagon. If your parents had a pickup truck, the bed was the prime spot for a bumpy ride. Today, safety laws would have them fined in minutes.
2. Playing Outside Until Dark Without Supervision
“Be home when the streetlights come on” was the only rule. Kids spent hours exploring neighborhoods, woods, or empty lots without anyone worrying about their whereabouts. Today, parents track their kids with GPS just to let them ride bikes down the block.
3. Smoking Around Kids
It wasn’t unusual for parents to light up in the house, the car, or even while holding their babies. Ashtrays were everywhere, and no one thought twice about kids inhaling secondhand smoke. Now, the idea of smoking near a child feels unthinkable.
4. Buying Candy Cigarettes
Speaking of smoking, these sugary sticks were marketed directly to kids, complete with “smoke” that puffed out when you blew on them. Parents saw it as harmless fun, but today, any resemblance to cigarettes for kids would be considered wildly inappropriate.
5. Drinking Soda Anytime They Wanted
Sugary sodas weren’t just for special occasions—they were part of lunch, dinner, or even an after-school treat. Parents didn’t obsess over sugar content, and kids guzzled cola from glass bottles without a second thought. Now, we count every gram of sugar like it’s poison.
6. Riding Bikes Without Helmets
Bikes were freedom machines, and kids rode them everywhere, often at breakneck speeds. Helmets? Those were for professionals. It’s a miracle more of us didn’t knock our heads, but somehow we survived. Today, not wearing a helmet feels like a parenting failure.
7. Using Lawn Darts
These sharp, heavy “toys” were a staple of backyard fun in the 70s. Parents didn’t blink at kids tossing these lethal projectiles around. Now, they’re banned in most places for being the danger they always were.
8. Walking to School Alone
Whether it was a few blocks or over a mile, kids were expected to walk or bike to school without an escort. Younger siblings often tagged along, and no one worried about stranger danger. These days, even older kids are chauffeured or monitored closely.
9. Playing with Chemistry Sets That Actually Had Chemicals
Those science kits in the 70s included real chemicals like sulfur and potassium nitrate. Parents didn’t hover; they trusted kids to be careful. Modern kits are much safer, but they lack the thrill of possibly setting something on fire.
10. Eating Whatever They Wanted
Lunch might have been a bologna sandwich on white bread with a side of Hostess Twinkies. Parents didn’t stress about organic ingredients or food dyes. Now, every ingredient list gets scrutinized like a medical chart.
11. Going to the Pool Without Lifeguards
If your neighborhood had a pool, chances were good it didn’t have a lifeguard on duty. Parents trusted kids to swim safely, and kids learned fast how to stay afloat—or risk getting dunked by friends. Today, safety is paramount, with lifeguards and strict rules in place.
12. Sitting in the Front Seat
The coveted front seat wasn’t reserved for adults in the 70s. Kids were often allowed to ride shotgun, and sometimes even control the radio or stick shift. Now, kids under 12 are relegated to the back, strapped in securely.
13. Staying Home Alone at a Young Age
Latchkey kids were a common sight in the 70s. Parents didn’t see anything wrong with leaving kids as young as seven or eight home alone after school. Today, there are legal debates about what age is “safe,” and most parents would never dream of leaving young kids unsupervised.
Looking back, the 70s felt like a golden age of independence and exploration. While today’s world is safer and more cautious, it’s hard not to miss the wild freedom we had back then. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but it shaped a generation of resilient, adventurous kids who learned to figure things out on their own.
