Growing up has changed a lot over the decades, and sometimes I look back at stories from older friends or relatives with a mix of awe and disbelief.
It’s wild to think about how drastically child-rearing norms have shifted.
What was once considered completely normal for a 60s kid might send modern parents into a panic today.
Yet, it’s also fascinating from a psychological standpoint: our expectations of safety, health, and general well-being evolve over time, influenced by cultural shifts, research, and technology.
So, with that in mind, let’s explore six things 60s kids grew up doing that would probably make today’s parents gasp in horror.
1. Riding in cars without seatbelts
I’ve heard plenty of stories from older family members reminiscing about the days when the idea of “buckling up” was practically optional.
Some would pile into the backseat with siblings, free to shuffle around and wrestle each other for the best spot.
A few people I’ve spoken to even remember riding in the bed of pickup trucks during summer.
They’d feel the wind on their faces, never giving a second thought to the danger—seatbelts weren’t exactly enforced back then, and child safety seats were practically unheard of.
In modern times, though, this would set off every alarm bell possible. We have decades of research highlighting how seatbelts and proper car seats significantly reduce fatalities and injuries in accidents.
One large study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) pointed out that seatbelts save thousands of lives each year. It’s a testament to how our collective mindset has evolved and why modern parents are vigilant about car safety.
After all, who wants to compromise on something as fundamental as their child’s well-being?
2. Disappearing for hours without supervision
Kids in the 60s often left home in the morning, hopped on their bikes, and didn’t return until dinner.
The day was wide open for exploration: building makeshift forts in the woods, hanging out at the local park, or inventing games with the neighborhood kids.
No smartphone, no GPS tracker, and rarely a check-in call.
And while this might sound liberating—like the ultimate childhood adventure—it’d be enough to give modern parents a heart attack.
I remember times (though I’m definitely a later generation) when my folks would let me explore the local hiking trails with friends, trusting us to be sensible.
But even that scenario involved a strict curfew and the knowledge that we could always call them if something came up.
These days, I suspect most parents would be texting their kids the minute they stray too far.
Looking back, it’s easy to see that fewer questions were asked about child safety back then. But our cultural norms have shifted dramatically, and now parents tend to be far more hands-on—some would say hovering.
For better or worse, the world just feels different today.
3. Handling potentially hazardous toys and objects
No 60s kid was a stranger to metal-tipped lawn darts, makeshift slingshots, or even fireworks that an adult might hand over “just for fun.”
The thrill of tossing a heavy dart across the yard without protective gear was a weekend staple for many families.
Looking at that scenario now, it’s almost comical how little protective oversight there was.
Certainly, nobody was double-checking product safety guidelines or wearing goggles for backyard games. I’ve mentioned this before but toy regulations, safety certifications, and parental watchfulness have reached new heights since then.
Back in the day, though, a large chunk of parents didn’t think twice about letting their kids play with items that would now be considered off-limits.
It’s not that 60s parents were reckless; they were just following the norms of their time.
4. Sipping on mystery drinks and sharing communal cups
Another surprising norm for 60s kids was having an almost total lack of caution around what (and where) they drank.
Hydration often came straight from the garden hose, public water fountains, or a shared punch bowl at a neighborhood gathering.
I’ve heard stories of kids guzzling sugary sodas left out at backyard barbecues, flies included, without a second thought.
Nowadays, in an era of hand sanitizer, bottled water, and color-coded cups to prevent germ transfer, that free-for-all approach seems unthinkable. Parents pay closer attention to every detail: Is the water filtered? Was that cup properly washed? Did we sanitize those surfaces?
Medical professionals have published countless studies on germs and viruses, and the average household is more informed about potential health risks than ever before.
Still, there’s a certain innocence in the old way of doing things, even if it might make us cringe a bit now.
For the 60s kids, it was all part of the carefree life they knew, and many walked away fine (or at least with a stronger immune system?).
5. Breathing in secondhand smoke like it’s no big deal
Smoking was rampant in the 60s.
It wasn’t just about parents taking a quick puff outside; it was common to see cigarettes at the dinner table, in the living room, and—unfortunately—around the kids.
A friend of mine once described family road trips where the driver’s window was barely cracked, and a steady plume of smoke swirled around the cramped interior.
It was a normal occurrence that, by today’s standards, would send any health-conscious parent into a spiral of panic.
Modern research has left no room for doubt: secondhand smoke is harmful, especially for children.
Now we have designated smoking areas, strong antismoking campaigns, and parents who are far more aware of the ramifications.
Dale Carnegie once observed, “When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion.” Smoking laws and social norms changed largely because we started to feel the emotional toll of secondhand smoke—especially on children.
And thankfully, we acted on it.
6. Eating homemade treats from strangers
When we think of classic Trick-or-Treat scenes from the 60s, the kids were out in full costume, baskets in hand, collecting homemade cookies, popcorn balls, and brownies from neighbors.
And let’s be clear—this wasn’t a bizarre one-off.
It was perfectly normal for kids to munch on goodies cooked up by someone down the street they only vaguely knew.
Parents these days would likely have nightmares about the potential hazards: Was it hygienic? Did they use safe ingredients? Could there be hidden allergens or even deliberate tampering?
We’ve all heard cautionary tales, many of which are likely overblown, but they influence our decisions nonetheless.
Interestingly, modern psychology points out the impact of what is known as the “availability heuristic”—the phenomenon where we judge the frequency or risk of an event by how easily it comes to mind.
Stories of tainted treats, even if extremely rare, linger in our collective memory and shape how we behave.
So, modern parents are less willing to let their kids feast on homemade goodies from random neighbors. It’s a protective measure we’ve collectively accepted, even if it makes Halloween a bit less personal.
Putting it all together
Looking back at these six things can feel like peering into an entirely different universe.
What was once commonplace is now borderline unthinkable.
And while it’s easy to either romanticize the 60s as a time of carefree bliss or condemn it as a period of dangerous oversight, I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Humanity grows, learns, and adapts over time, and our parenting approaches reflect that evolution.
Here at DMNews, we try to remind our readers that times change, and with them, our priorities and knowledge shift.
That doesn’t mean everything about the old ways was wrong or everything about our new ways is absolutely right. Instead, it’s about making informed decisions, drawing on the best research, and remembering that context matters.
We can appreciate the nostalgic stories from that era while also recognizing why many of these habits have fallen by the wayside.
So, if you ever catch yourself daydreaming about a simpler time, remember that a lot of what made the 60s simple also carried risks that modern parents work hard to minimize.
At the end of the day, understanding where we’ve been can guide us as we create safer, healthier, and more balanced lives for future generations.
Let’s take the lessons from the past and use them to shape a more informed, thoughtful present—one that respects both the freedom and the safety of our kids.
