18 Wild Things Parents Did in the 80s That Would Leave Modern Parents Shaking Their Heads
Parenting in the 80s was a whole different ball game. It was a time of big hair, loud music, and even louder parenting decisions. While today’s parents rely on research-backed advice, 80s moms and dads often winged it.
Kids were left to roam free, safety standards were questionable, and discipline could be downright harsh. What was once normal now feels shocking, even controversial.
Here are 18 things parents commonly did in the 80s that would spark outrage or serious debates in today’s parenting circles.
Letting Kids Ride Without Seatbelts
In the 80s, seatbelts were more of a suggestion than a rule. Kids often piled into cars, sometimes lying across the backseat or even sitting in the cargo area of station wagons.
Booster seats for younger children were rare, and safety was largely left to chance. Modern parents would be horrified at the thought, as strict car seat laws and awareness of crash safety dominate today’s practices.
Smoking in the House and Car
Smoking indoors was a common sight in the 80s, even with kids around. Parents lit up at the dinner table, in living rooms, and especially in the car, with the windows barely cracked.
Secondhand smoke wasn’t widely recognized as a health risk yet. Today, the idea of smoking around children is widely criticized and even illegal in some areas.
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Leaving Kids in the Car Alone
Running errands often meant leaving kids in the car while parents popped into the store. Sometimes the engine was left running, or the windows were cracked open on hot days.
What seems like blatant negligence now was considered normal back then, as the risks of kidnapping and heatstroke weren’t top of mind.
Spanking as a Go-To Punishment
Corporal punishment wasn’t just accepted—it was expected. Parents kept paddles, belts, or even wooden spoons handy for discipline.
Spanking was seen as a necessary tool to keep kids in line. Today, it’s a controversial and widely debated topic, with many experts condemning it for its potential psychological harm.
Letting Kids Roam the Neighborhood Alone
Free-range parenting was the default in the 80s. Kids rode bikes, explored forests, or played at the park unsupervised for hours.
The only rule? Be home by dinner. With the rise of “stranger danger” awareness and structured activities today, many parents now find this kind of freedom unthinkable.
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Serving Soda with Every Meal
Soft drinks were a staple in many households. It wasn’t unusual for kids to sip on cola at breakfast or have multiple cans throughout the day.
Concerns about sugar and health hadn’t yet reached the mainstream. Today, sugary drinks are heavily criticized, with parents encouraged to offer water or milk instead.
Sending Kids to Bed Without Dinner
As a form of punishment, some parents sent their kids to bed hungry if they misbehaved or refused to eat dinner. The 80s mindset was all about tough love, but modern parenting experts call this practice unnecessarily harsh and potentially harmful to a child’s emotional and physical health.
Leaving Kids Home Alone at a Young Age
Latchkey kids were a hallmark of the 80s. With both parents working, many children came home to an empty house after school, managing themselves until their parents returned.
Today’s parenting norms often involve after-school programs or babysitters to avoid leaving young kids unsupervised.
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Using TV as a Babysitter
The 80s saw the rise of cable TV and video tapes, and parents weren’t shy about using them as childcare. Shows like Sesame Street or He-Man entertained kids for hours while parents got things done.
Screen time was not yet the concern it is today, where parents often strive to limit it.
Encouraging Kids to “Walk It Off”
Falls, scrapes, or minor injuries were often met with a no-nonsense “You’re fine, walk it off.” Parents didn’t rush to coddle or seek medical advice unless something was visibly broken.
Modern parenting leans more toward caution and ensuring kids feel emotionally supported after accidents.
Making Kids Play Outside All Day
Parents in the 80s were known for shooing their kids outside and telling them not to come back until dinner. There wasn’t much worry about supervision or danger.
Today’s parents often supervise outdoor play, mindful of traffic, strangers, and other risks.
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Allowing Kids to Drink from the Garden Hose
Drinking water straight from the garden hose was a rite of passage for 80s kids. Parents didn’t worry about contaminants or bacteria.
Today, this practice is frowned upon, with parents opting for clean, filtered water for their children.
Bringing Kids to Bars and Taverns
It wasn’t unusual for parents to take their kids to bars or taverns, especially in small towns. While parents socialized, kids played arcade games or snacked on peanuts.
Now, this would raise eyebrows, as bars are seen as adult-only spaces inappropriate for children.
Serving Processed Snacks Daily
Lunchboxes in the 80s were filled with Twinkies, HoHos, and sugary fruit drinks. Convenience trumped nutrition, and processed snacks were staples in most homes.
Today, parents are far more conscious of sugar, additives, and the importance of balanced diets.
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Using Harsh Language to Discipline
Many 80s parents didn’t hold back when disciplining their kids, using harsh or even degrading language to emphasize their points. While they saw it as tough love, today’s parenting advice encourages positive communication to avoid damaging a child’s self-esteem.
Letting Babies Sleep on Their Stomachs
The 80s standard for infant sleep involved placing babies on their stomachs, believed to reduce the risk of choking. Modern research has shown that this increases the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), and parents are now advised to place infants on their backs to sleep.
Buying Toys with Little Regard for Safety
Toys in the 80s were colorful, creative, and often dangerous. Think sharp edges, small choking hazards, and chemistry sets with real chemicals.
Parents didn’t worry too much about recalls or safety standards. Today’s toy industry is heavily regulated, with safety as a top priority.
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Letting Kids Watch R-Rated Movies
It wasn’t unusual for kids to watch violent or mature films alongside their parents. Popular 80s action and horror movies often pushed boundaries, and many parents didn’t think twice about letting their children watch.
Today, parental controls and age-appropriate viewing are the norm.
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