I'm a child of the 60's ... and my child is a child of the 80's, almost 90's, so our worlds have been completely different. I grew up in a time when fear was not such a big part of how children were raised, trust was a big thing, and respect was everything. When I say respect, I don't just mean for our parents, but for every other adult around us as well, teachers, ministers, neighbors, aunts and uncles, the government, the church, and the education system. We lived by rules, and as for myself I know I didn't question those rules very often, I just followed them like everyone else I knew. Those rules served us well, we grew up and were able to lead our adult lives successfully. Maybe if some of these same practices were being used today, our children wouldn't be ruling the roost, disrespectful and struggling to make something of themselves.
- Chores and housework were done on Saturday mornings, no one went out until they were done. Once we were done, the streets were full of kids, playing, riding bikes, going to the park and exploring.
- Television was typically watched in the evening when the family was all together, and the choices were few since we only had 3 or 4 channels.
- Everyone was expected home when the "street lights came on".
- Time outs were something we never heard of ... our parents favored a quick spanking and if the offense was really bad we might be put on restriction, which meant no playing outside, no TV, and early bed times.
- We had one telephone in the house, it wasn't portable, in fact it was usually strategically placed in the kitchen or the family room and so when you used it everyone heard your conversation.
- The Living Room was used for "company" only and don't you dare sit on the "good furniture".
- Dinner was whatever your mom cooked and put on the table, going out to eat was not a typical option. Those outings were saved for very special occasions.
- Children received allowances at weeks end, and that was only if the child did the work expected of them around the house. My allowance when I was little was .50 a week, and I had to do quite a bit to get it.
- If we got in trouble at school, or talked back to our teachers we were in double trouble at home. Now the teachers live in fear of the students.
- Going to church on Sunday mornings was a way of life for everyone, and Sunday afternoons were spent at home.
- Vacations ... especially big expensive vacations were scarce. It was more likely that you might get lots of day trips with all of your cousins.
- We used to get a brand new outfit for the 1st day of school, typically that outfit included new shoes. I don't remember getting whole new wardrobes like the kids get today.
- Christmas was a magical time, Santa brought gifts which usually included one "big" gift and lots of little practical things and we were thrilled with what we received.
- We had one Stereo in the house, not one in every room.
- Transistor radio's were the IPODS of today.
- Cars didn't have seat belts or airbags, in fact seat belts were options when they first came out.
- No one wore helmets, knee and elbow pads and reflective vests to ride a bicycle ... and the great majority of us survived past childhood.
- PLAY DATES did not exist. Kids were sent out and told to "go play". We made up games, rode our bikes, played dolls, climbed trees, raked leaves into the shapes of houses and played house in them. We played red light, green light, hide and go seek and duck duck goose. Imagination was a big part of our lives. Now if you tell a child to go out and play they don't even know what to do, unless they have their Ipods and their handheld video games. They have no imagination ... it's very sad.
And last but not least ... my biggest rant. CELL PHONES ... how were we able to live without them. Everyone today even the very youngest of children have them and for what, does anyone even really know? People take calls in their cars while they're driving, in the stores while they are shopping, in movie theaters and school ... what is so important that you must constantly be on the phone, and don't even get me started on texting. Yes I have a cell phone, it's an i-phone 5 the latest and supposedly greatest, but I barely no how to use it, thank God for my daughter who shows me whatever I need to just get by with that crazy phone ... and just because I have one doesn't mean I like them, ask my girl, she'll tell you I hate it.
Technological advances can be a very good thing, yet in so many ways sometimes I feel like those advances are almost crippling our society, taking us backwards in some areas. I long for the "good old days" ... knowing full well that so many of them can only be found now in my memories. I wonder if someday my daughter will feel the same way after watching the years go bye. What do you think?
