Author: Lee Winter
Editor: Katie McKinstry
I'm a product of the 80's from Australia. There are clear differences between his 1980s in the US and Down Under, but there are also notable similarities. Back then, children were free to roam around the neighborhood. In contrast to today's carefully planned “playdates,” dropping by a friend's house unannounced and playing haphazardly was common.
Another major change is corporal punishment in schools. I distinctly remember the real fear I felt when my elementary school teacher pointed a cane at me one year, and the next day it was completely gone. It was declared illegal in the United States in 1993, but was previously banned in many states. The changes over the past half century are vast, and this list only scratches the surface of the countless changes in parenting and childhood experiences.
1. Technology in the home
The excitement of home computers was felt in many homes in the '80s, and now it's commonplace. The presence of smartphones, tablets and computers has radically changed family relationships. Parents are grappling with screen time limits, online safety concerns, and navigating the digital landscape alongside traditional parenting responsibilities. The biggest advantage is that you can at least know where your kids are by text message or phone call.
2. Helicopter Parents
Modern parents often exhibit a more hands-on approach and closely monitor their children's activities, academic progress, and social interactions. This increased involvement stems from social pressures, safety concerns, and a desire to provide optimal opportunities for children, and in some cases can lead to overcrowded schedules and burnout.
3. Gender roles
Thankfully, gone are the days when every gender had a specific role, whether we like it or not. Modern parenting challenges traditional gender norms and encourages children to explore diverse interests and activities regardless of society's expectations. Many modern parents foster an environment that prioritizes equality, inclusivity, and individual choice, empowering their children to embrace their true selves.
4. Educational approach
Educational environments are becoming more diverse, offering parents alternatives such as home learning, online learning, and personalized education plans. This flexibility allows parents to tailor the educational experience to their children's unique needs, interests, and learning styles.
5. Parenting blogs and social media
The digital age has helped increase parenting knowledge, allowing parents to access resources and share their experiences. People who previously felt isolated can now participate in online communities. However, challenges also arise, such as dealing with misinformation, maintaining privacy, and managing parent and child screen time.
6. Health and nutrition
Modern parents have more information and awareness about the importance of their child's well-being, prioritizing nutrition, physical activity, and mental health. Kids still love that sweet cereal, but today's parents are more likely to limit access or find other options. We are more knowledgeable than our predecessors about dietary choices and mental health resources, and we are cultivating healthier lifestyles and habits from a young age.
7. Safety concerns
Gen is increasing, creating a more complex situation. This increased awareness reflects a proactive approach to reducing risk and ensuring the well-being of children in a variety of settings.
8. Work-life balance
Two-income households are becoming more and more common, necessitating strategies to achieve work-life balance. Stay-at-home moms are a thing of the past, and many modern parents are prioritizing flexible work arrangements, shared parenting responsibilities, and quality family time as they strive to balance competing demands.
9. Raising children alone
Society's acceptance and support for single-parent families is evolving, providing resources, community networks, and advocacy for parents navigating this process. Single parents are given greater recognition, support and opportunities to grow as individuals and parent effectively.
10. Improving mental health awareness
Children's mental health is becoming increasingly important, leading to early intervention, counseling services, and resources for parents. Modern parenting prioritizes emotional intelligence, resilience, and well-being, and fosters a supportive environment in which children can overcome challenges and develop coping skills.
11. Diversity and Inclusion
Close-minded stereotypes are a thing of the past, and new parenting focuses on teaching children about diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness. Parents foster an environment that fosters empathy, respect, and understanding, values differences, counters prejudice, and promotes social justice values.
12. Extracurricular activities
In the '80s, after-school activities included several sports and dance classes. Over the past two decades, extracurricular activities have expanded to allow children to explore diverse interests, develop skills, and build social connections. This is great, but it also means that time management to coordinate everything is a much bigger problem than it was 50 years ago.
13. Communication
I remember never feeling the same connection to my parents as I do to my children. Communication between children and parents has changed. Open communication fosters trust, understanding and mutual respect. Modern parents prioritize active listening, empathy, and dialogue to create a supportive environment where children can express themselves, seek guidance, and overcome challenges.
14. Consideration for the environment
What happened to the hole in the ozone layer? It was the most important environmental issue parents talked about in the '80s. Parents are now instilling values of sustainability, environmental friendliness and environmental responsibility, and fostering awareness, activism and stewardship. Children participate in environmentally friendly practices, conservation and advocacy to promote a sustainable future and global citizenship.
15. Time with kids
Today's middle-class parents spend more time caring for their children than previous generations. One study found that from 1965 to 2012, mothers' average daily parenting time increased from 54 minutes to 104 minutes, and for fathers from 16 minutes to 59 minutes.
16. Peer influence
Once upon a time, the only peer influence you had to worry about was the bully at school. Today, social media and digital platforms amplify peer influence and shape children's perceptions, behaviors, and relationships. This is something parents didn't have to deal with in the 80's or her 90's. Parents now have to deal with the complexities of online interactions, digital peer pressure, and social dynamics. Communication is essential to fostering resilience and healthy relationships.
17. Emphasis on individuality
Modern parenting recognizes and nurtures each child's unique talents, interests, and strengths. Today, with the emphasis on individual rights and freedoms, parenting is moving towards a more child-centered approach. Parents face the challenge of nurturing their children's individuality while requiring them to balance personal and social needs, instilling a sense of community and social responsibility.
18. Personal boundaries
Remember when your parents pressured you to hug or kiss your relatives or friends, even if you weren't comfortable? That was something I hated. Modern parents are more conscious of letting their children do what they feel comfortable with when setting personal boundaries. Parents are increasingly aware of the importance of respecting their child's comfort level and bodily autonomy. Social movements that advocate increasing awareness of consensual and respectful interactions have influenced parenting practices.
19. Parenting style
Mainstream parenting styles are changing, with today's parents adopting a more collaborative and empathetic approach, emphasizing open communication and mutual respect. In contrast, the 80s and 90s placed less emphasis on emotional intelligence and collaborative decision-making and more often emphasized authoritative and disciplined parenting styles.
20. Family dynamics
The 80s and 90s saw a more traditional family structure that included a mother, father, and children. Anything other than this tended to be frowned upon. Thankfully, family structures and dynamics are evolving and modern parents are navigating diverse family structures such as blended families, same-sex parents, and single-parent households, leading to better acceptance of inclusivity and diversity. I am.
21. Global awareness
Today's parents value global awareness and encourage their children to learn about different cultures, languages, and global issues through travel, education, and media exposure. In the 80's we had some exposure to this kind of subject matter, but many people had different attitudes towards other cultures and were less knowledgeable about global issues.
22. Technology in education
The 1980s saw the introduction of personal computers into homes and schools. However, I only did a little more than basic gaming and word processing. Today, the integration of technology into education is changing the learning experience, and modern parents must learn and adapt while navigating challenges such as online learning, educational apps, and digital literacy.
23. Breastfeeding
In the 1970s and 1980s, marketing and perceived convenience increased the popularity of formula, causing breastfeeding rates to decline. However, in the late '90s and early 2000s, increased awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding led to a resurgence in its promotion and support.
24. Parental Leave Policy
Modern parents recognize the importance of bonding time between mothers and fathers and are advocating for more comprehensive parental leave policies. In the 80s, parents often had more limited parental leave options and less emphasis and expectations on shared caregiving responsibilities.
25. Special Needs Recognition
Fifty years ago, conditions like autism and ADHD were poorly understood, often leading to the misconception that affected children were simply misbehaving. Today, with a better understanding of children's mental health, parents and educational institutions are prioritizing inclusivity and providing tailored support for children with special needs. Additionally, social attitudes have changed significantly since her 1980s, and as a result, the stigma associated with raising a child with such special needs has decreased.
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This post was previously published on Wealth of Geeks.
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Photo credit: iStock.com
