It’s wild to look back at how things were just a few generations ago.
What once seemed perfectly normal—like piling half a dozen kids into the back of a station wagon without a single seat belt—is now not only frowned upon, but could lead to serious legal trouble.
Today, I want to explore some of these child-rearing practices from the 1960s that would raise more than just a few eyebrows if they happened now.
I’m not saying life was all bad or all good back then, just that it was very different.
Let’s dive in.
1. Riding in cars without seat belts or car seats
If you’ve ever flipped through old family photo albums, you might have spotted a shot of your parents or grandparents as little kids sprawled out in the back seat.
No car seats, no seat belts—maybe not even a proper bench seat sometimes, just a metal surface covered by a thin layer of foam.
In some households, it wasn’t unusual to see toddlers standing on the front passenger seat while their parents drove.
From today’s perspective, that feels like an accident waiting to happen.
Today, many countries have strict child restraint laws. In my own circle of friends, I can’t imagine any parent driving off without triple-checking that the car seat is tightly secured.
But back then, people just didn’t think in terms of “child safety standards.”
Seat belts were more of an option than a requirement, and child safety seats were practically nonexistent. These days, if a police officer spotted a kid climbing around unrestrained in a moving vehicle, Child Protective Services might be on speed dial.
Much of this shift came as a result of extensive research into car accidents and child fatalities.
Decades of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) helped lawmakers realize that proper restraints save lives.
What once felt harmless in the 60s is now very much off-limits.
2. Playing outside all day without adult supervision
I grew up hearing stories from older relatives who roamed freely until dusk, no phones, no check-ins, no problem.
They’d hop on their bikes in the morning, disappear into the neighborhood, and only return when the streetlights came on. Parents assumed the community was safe, and for the most part, it was.
But there was also a lot of luck involved.
These days, letting a small child run around town alone all day might lead to questions about neglect. I’ve mentioned this before but it’s fascinating how the culture of supervision has changed so drastically.
Some blame the media coverage of rare but tragic events that stokes fear. Others point to busier roads or bigger cities as reasons it’s less safe for kids to wander.
Regardless of why, today’s laws generally hold caregivers liable if minors are found unsupervised for extended periods.
In some places, parents have even faced legal trouble for letting their kids walk to school unaccompanied.
The 60s were obviously different. People often knew their neighbors better, and children tended to move in packs.
But from a modern standpoint, that era’s “free-range” approach to parenting can seem downright reckless—and potentially criminal if repeated today.
3. Riding in the back of pickup trucks
When I was a teenager, I recall seeing an old photograph of my dad and his cousins sitting on the open tailgate of a pickup, cruising down a dirt road, hair whipping in the wind.
They were laughing and having the time of their lives.
But just picture that scene in 2025: a group of kids perched at the edge of an open truck bed, traveling at full speed.
The parent or adult who allowed it would risk serious legal repercussions, from hefty fines to potential arrests if an accident occurred.
Back in the 60s, it was more or less normal, especially in rural areas. It was the ultimate sense of freedom, and no one batted an eye.
However, according to research, passengers in open truck beds are significantly more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a crash.
That’s why so many states today have outlawed, or heavily restricted, any passengers riding in an unenclosed cargo bed—particularly if they’re minors.
Yet those black-and-white photos of carefree kids in the back of pickup trucks remain a cultural artifact of that more relaxed era.
4. Handling fireworks without much supervision
Have you ever lit a sparkler for a kid and then hovered anxiously to make sure nothing went wrong?
In today’s world, that’s standard.
But in the 60s, Fourth of July celebrations, for example, often involved kids lighting off everything from firecrackers to bottle rockets with minimal adult oversight.
I’ve heard older family members recall throwing lit firecrackers in empty fields, trusting them to pop harmlessly. It sounds terrifying to me.
Nowadays, local ordinances tightly regulate even the smallest fireworks, and many states require licensed adults to handle anything more serious than a sparkler.
Child endangerment laws could come into play if a parent allowed a young kid to handle fireworks without supervision.
There are good reasons for these rules: the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports thousands of firework-related injuries every year, many of them involving children.
Times have changed a lot, and the law is far stricter in protecting kids from dangerous pyrotechnics. One stray rocket or poorly aimed Roman candle could land a parent in hot water today.
5. Using BB guns and real-looking toy guns in public
Back in the 60s, kids didn’t just have Nerf or water guns.
They often had BB guns or plastic toy guns that looked shockingly realistic.
They’d play “cops and robbers” in the streets, pointing these toy firearms at each other and even strangers, without a second thought.
It was considered innocent role-play.
But in the current climate, letting your child brandish anything remotely resembling a firearm in public could lead to a police intervention—one that might end in legal trouble for the parent.
Part of the shift stems from societal changes in how we view gun safety and public threats.
We’re more aware of the potential for misunderstanding or worse outcomes when someone sees a “gun” and calls law enforcement. Even BB guns are heavily regulated in certain areas now, especially if a minor is involved.
As Seth Godin once said, “If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try.”
Sure, that might motivate us to step out of our comfort zones creatively, but it definitely doesn’t mean letting kids roam around with weapon-like toys in public spaces.
What felt like harmless fun back in the day has become a legitimate concern in modern parenting.
6. Smoking around kids (and sometimes letting them try a puff)
Hard to believe, but there was a time when seeing adults smoke in the car with the windows rolled up was totally normal.
Even more shocking to my generation is the idea that a parent might let their child take a “harmless” puff for a laugh or a photo opportunity.
In the 60s, we didn’t have the mountain of health research on secondhand smoke that we do now. Smoking was advertised everywhere, and cigarettes were often seen as glamorous or sophisticated.
If someone saw a child sneaking a puff at a family party, many would laugh it off.
These days, it’s a completely different story. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has firmly established the risks of secondhand smoke.
If any parent today encouraged or even allowed a minor to handle a lit cigarette, the legal implications could be severe, ranging from investigations for child endangerment to potential arrests, depending on the jurisdiction.
It’s amazing how swiftly public attitudes and laws can shift, but this is one area where most folks would agree the change is for the better.
7. Letting kids hitchhike
Hitchhiking wasn’t just for wandering hippies in the 60s—it wasn’t uncommon for teenagers or even younger kids to stick out a thumb if they needed a ride.
People generally trusted each other more (or at least they thought they did), and the roads weren’t quite as congested.
However, in many places today, if anyone saw a 13-year-old thumbing for a ride alone, it would almost certainly lead to a call to child services or the police.
Parents who allowed it could be investigated for neglect.
Society has become far more cautious, partly due to an increased awareness of crimes committed against vulnerable individuals, including minors.
While there might still be rural pockets in the world where hitchhiking remains somewhat normal, in most developed areas, it’s rarely considered safe—or legal for unaccompanied kids.
And with ride-sharing apps and cellphones, there’s really no good reason (legally or practically) for parents to let their children hitch rides with strangers anymore.
8. Riding bicycles without helmets or protective gear
Last but not least, let’s talk about bicycle helmets—or the lack thereof in the 60s.
Back in the day, kids whipped around the neighborhood on stingray bikes with banana seats, wind in their hair, no helmet in sight. It was thrilling, sure, but also riskier than most realized.
Thanks to a lot of studies, including findings from the American Academy of Pediatrics, we now know helmets drastically reduce the risk of traumatic brain injuries.
These days, many states have laws that require minors to wear helmets, and some even extend to scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades.
If a child is seen repeatedly biking helmet-free, a parent could receive citations, and in extreme cases, they could be questioned about child endangerment if a serious accident occurred.
It might feel overprotective to some, but the statistics don’t lie—protective gear can save lives.
The freewheeling spirit of the 60s had its charm, but letting kids ride around with zero head protection in busy traffic is an open invitation for legal troubles today.
Putting it all together
It’s easy to romanticize the 60s as a time of carefree fun for kids. And sure, some of those old stories might make us smile and wonder if we’ve become too uptight.
But there’s also no denying that child safety laws exist for a reason.
Here at DMNews, we always talk about balance. We don’t want to bubble-wrap every kid to the point they never get to explore or learn from their own mistakes.
On the other hand, we understand that certain practices from decades ago are better left in the past.
Society has learned a lot about protecting children, and a number of those once-acceptable activities could now get a parent arrested—or at least heavily scrutinized—today.
I always think it’s worth finding that sweet spot between freedom and responsibility.
Looking back isn’t about judging the past; it’s about appreciating how far we’ve come and hopefully making better, more informed decisions for the next generation.
After all, the goal is to keep evolving so our kids can thrive.
