The boomer generation is far from what we’re used to today. Some things wouldn’t be appropriate anymore, especially with the safety measures. There has been a significant evolution in the cultural landscape, whether outdoor adventures or unfiltered television content. Let’s look into the world of boomers, their upbringing, and how far society has come.
Hitchhiking
We hate hitchhiking entirely these days, and you’ll rarely see one. However, hitchhiking was extremely common in the boomer days, and you would always come across them. There were fewer risks of getting into a stranger’s car, but now it’s discouraged and even illegal in some places. There has been a massive shift in personal safety and potential dangers surrounding us and accepting a ride from a stranger.
Lacking Food Allergy Awareness
There was a massive absence of food allergy awareness, and things like peanuts were commonly used in lunch boxes. However, there is a rise in understanding, and some schools have banned peanuts. It is all considered risky, and there is a more significant emphasis on accommodating the dietary needs of people with food allergies and creating allergen-free environments.
Handling fireworks
Fireworks now have age limits, and stringent firework safety regulations are in place. Although, back in the world of baby boomers, they would be handling them without worry. When it gets closer to celebrations where fireworks are standard, there are usually regulation highlights before purchasing them, and you have to be over a certain age. There is essential to prioritize the safety of people, particularly children, during these occasions.
Corporal Punishment
It wasn’t uncommon in school in the past for you to have a belt across your back and a slap on the hand. It was a widely accepted way of discipline. However, with the growing understanding of childhood development and well-being, it is now inappropriate and illegal in many places. We show more compassion and empathy towards children and emphasize promoting a positive child environment and non-violent methods.
Playing with Dangerous Toys
If you look at the toy packaging now, you’ll see that it states the toy is only suitable for children over a certain age. This is mainly to prevent choking. However, these safety regulations weren’t in place during the baby boomer era. Children were allowed to play with potential choking hazards and toys made with toxic materials. Now, there are laws on toy safety, and these regulations provide children with non-hazardous and safe toys.
Lack of Nutritional Consideration in School Meals
There was once a time when vegetables and fruit weren’t an option in schools, and most foods contained high fat and sugar. We now offer healthier meal options and ensure plenty of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. This is to promote healthier eating habits, which will aid in better health overall and prevent childhood obesity. There is a bigger and better understanding of proper nutrition and support toward students’ well-being and performance academically.
Unsafe Playground Equipment
If you’re a baby boomer, you might remember playing on equipment with no safety precautions, and this equipment was usually on rock-solid ground. You would end up with all scraps, bruises, and breaks after a day at the park. We now have enhanced safety standards that prevent most injuries. Of course, there will always be some form of accident when it comes to a playground, but it won’t be as drastic as it used to be. There are safer play environments for children and safer surfaces, increasing the awareness and importance of child safety.
Unsupervised Access to Construction Sites
We all grow up knowing that construction sites aren’t somewhere to play, no matter how tempting it might look. We are aware of the risks involved in going on them. But back then, boomers could freely explore and play on these sites, and most of the time, there were no repercussions if they did. Now we have fenced-off areas that are off-limits, and the change in child safety recognition minimizes the risks associated with unsupervised construction sites.
Limited Supervision
We rarely let children out of the house anymore due to the risks of cars and people. However, baby boomers will often discuss a time when they could go as far and wide as they wanted to without having to report back to their parents every 15 minutes. You might be thinking that, indeed, not children. No, children as young as six would be out in the streets, roaming around and playing with their friends. There has been a shift in societal norms since then, and there is an emphasis on child safety, which means more parental supervision.
Unrestricted Media Consumption
Even though computers were new back in the baby boomer era, they did have some access to media and certain games. However, there were no restrictions. This means that the children were able to watch adult-orientated TV. Today, we have all parental controls, including different apps for age and passcodes, so children cannot access certain things. Children are protected from potentially inappropriate or harmful material. There is an increased awareness of media on young minds and the importance of providing children with more age-appropriate content.
Riding in the Back of a Pickup Truck
It was a thrill for baby boomers to ride in the open air on the back of a pickup truck. It was a massive adventure for them, but today’s safety regulations mean it is now considered unsafe and illegal in some places. There is an emphasis on protecting individuals, especially children, during traveling.
Not Using Sunscreen
While going out on their adventures, baby boomers would spend hours out in the sun, and this would be without the use of sunscreen. However, with the growing knowledge of skin cancer and how the sun can negatively affect your skin, it is always recommended to wear sunscreen if you’re being exposed to the sun for long periods. We now understand the long-term effects of sun exposure and how important it is to protect ourselves from harmful UV radiation.
Lack of Car Seats for Children
The thought of a child being in the back of a car without a car seat or seat belt can send us into a panic, but this was a common occurrence back in the day. Having a child in a car seat gives us peace of mind, meaning we can travel safely. Due to the number of cars on the road, there is a higher risk of a car crash, and it comforts us to know that our children are safe. Using a car seat is now legally mandatory, so there is no room to risk it.
Riding Bikes Without a Helmet
Unlike today, baby boomers ride their bikes without using helmets. Thankfully, we have the safety measures in place, and there are many places where wearing a helmet is the law. There is a growing recognition that we must protect ourselves, especially children, from any potential head injury during bike rides.
Use of Lawn Darts
One game that boomers often played was lawn darts. This is where they throw a sharp, heavy projectile at the lawn. However, we have since identified the risks banned in the USA and Canada. Ensuring these games are stopped means recognizing the risks involved and promoting the safety of individuals, including children.
Use of Asbestos in Craft Kits
Thankfully, we are now aware of the health hazards associated with asbestos, so it isn’t used anymore. However, back in the baby boomer era, asbestos was used in all craft kits. We have a much more extensive understanding of the risks of asbestos exposure, and we can now safeguard children by progressively eliminating it.
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