No question about it, parenting and childhood has changed over the last 50+ years! But has it changed for the better? or do you think it's changed for the worse? Seems everyone has opinions.. teachers, doctors, theologians, politicians, the so-called experts, and of course, today's parents, most of whom believe, or at least hope that they are doing it right. But shouldn't we ponder the question.. if our children had the intellect, what would their opinions be? I wonder.

Since we each have only our own childhoods as actual evidence for our opinions, it seems the debate could go on & on. After all, even siblings, that is, children raised in the same families, and by the same parents, will remember their childhood events differently. This of course, is because we each view & absorb life experiences differently..

Most children during these times suffered poverty, deprivation, and fear to an extent that no American child has suffered since. Effects of the Great Depression & War in Europe were their reality, and topics of nearly every adult conversation they overheard & absorbed. By the end of the 30's & early 40's.. the depression not yet ended, the war in Europe still reality, and Japan declares war on America with an attack on Pearl Harbor. Small children were left at home with older siblings as more Moms went to work, and many Dads and older brothers served the military. By 1946 the economy had improved, the war had ended, and young couples started their families.. with vows that their children would not suffer the childhoods that they had; their children would have more.. today we refer to their children as the 'baby boomers'.

Effects of the Korean war were felt only slightly by children of the 50's, and these were happier times than children had experienced in two decades. Most Moms were home, and those that worked outside the home were often considered poor mothers, even if their incomes were needed, or their careers were admirable. Most children of working Moms were what we now term 'latchkey' kids, and daycare centers as we know them today were virtually non-existent.. But outside of skinned knees, etc., children could play outdoors from dawn till dusk, and walk to & from school with little concern for their safety. Though there were underlying political problems during the 50's, most children were unaware of it, and enjoyed childhoods free of concern for adult related issues. By the end of the 50's most homes had a TV, a telephone, and a vehicle, all of which were controlled by parents. Teens were enjoying more freedom which they exploited freely via rock & roll, etc., though sex education was minimal..

These were eras of great social change & ambiguity, and I believe the initiation of modern childhood.. The late 50's and early 60's found Moms working to help families acquire 2nd cars, better vacations, bigger, nicer homes, more TV's, and more gadgets, etc. People were discouraged by the loss of a President & onset of what was to become a seemingly never-ending political conflict in Viet Nam.  Attitudes about life in general took on more negativity as our military began arriving home with serious injuries, illnesses, and death. Alcohol and drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, war protests & general crime rates increased... By the end of the 70's  as many as 50% of Moms worked outside the home, and many were now working for a living due to increasing costs of family life, and also due to divorce rates which had increased by more than 50%. Childcare was still often provided by friends, neighbors, and relatives, though childcare centers began popping up in many cities. Parents became more alert to growing crime rates, and while most children could still play in their own neighborhoods with relative safety.. caution became more prevalent, and children of these eras were forced to become more aware of personal safety issues.

The number of single parent households grew by leaps and bounds during this time, as the popular consideration of the 80's was to prioritize ones self... thus these were the adults of the 'ME & MINE are all that matters generation'. Crime rates had more quadrupled since 1960, but fortunately began to gradually drop as we approached the 90's. Childhood during the 80's involved long days of childcare center experiences, and very little 'family' life for many kids, as more and more parents worked outside the home..

By the 90's and into the 21st century more children are sequestered to their homes & daycare centers due to safety issues involving more than just their own neighborhoods. Since 9/11/01 personal safety has become not just community, but national concern, and today's children are acutely aware of international terrorism, etc.

Due to lack of exercise, improper nutrition, and unresolved emotional issues, childhood obesity & drug abuse have become nearly epidemic. The divorce rate has produced nearly two generations of children who have few If any friends that actually live with both biological parents. By the age of 12, many children have already experimented with drugs, sex, and even some gang & crime related matters. Most parents are working, and though their efforts are admirable, time does not allow for much more than barely adequate parenting. As parents scramble to deal with mounting personal and/or marital strife, debts, and work related commitment, the term 'quality time' has become an excusal from providing many hours of their children's daily emotional and physical needs.

So, what do you think?

Has the Childhood Experience improved over the decades?

Are todays' children happier than yesterdays' children? Do they have a brighter future than yesterdays' kids?

Are todays' parents happier than yesterdays' parents? Are they doing a better job than yesterdays' parents?

What could todays' parents do to improve todays'  Childhood Experience ?