From the 1950s to today, each decade brought its own flavour to parenting, so let’s look at how parenting has transformed over the years.
The Rule Enforcers
Back in the 1950s, parenting involved respect & following the rules. Parents were pretty strict and kids were expected to toe the linen and no backtalk was allowed.
This was the era when dinner was at six, so you had better be home before the street lights came on.
Freedom Seekers
Fast forward to the 1960s and things got a lot more colorful. With the civil rights movement & a push for personal freedoms, parents loosened up quite a bit by encouraging their kids to speak their minds.
Kids were encouraged to stand up for their beliefs. Parents started having more open communication with their children versus previous generations.
Go With the Flow
In the 1970s, the motto was “do your own thing” as long as it didn’t hurt anyone. It was a far more hands-off approach that aimed to improve kids’ creativity & individuality.
That was quite a big shift from the discipline of the ’50s.
Achievement Unlocked
Then came the 1980s and with it, a shift back towards structure but with a focus on achievements & goals. It was the age of the “yuppie” and economic growth, so parents pushed their kids to excel in school.
After all, how else could they get ready for a competitive world? Education was important so playtime often took a backseat to homework.
Helicopter Hovering
“Helicopter parenting” was invented in the 90s. This is when parents started to keep a very close eye on their kids; from their schoolwork to their playdates.
Of course, the goal was safety & success as parents wanted to protect their kids in an increasingly complex world.
Tech Supervisors
Come the 2000s, technology was the new frontier. This was a time when parents had to deal with new technology and all the dangers that come along with it.
During this decade, parents began understanding how important it was to monitor their kids’ online activities.
Encouraging Independence
The 2010s’ parenting style tried to mix guidance & independence, with parents focused on setting boundaries and making sure kids could stand on their own two feet.
Why? Because they wanted their kids to develop the skills that would help them deal with a more uncertain world. Problem-solving & emotional intelligence were a must.
Resilient and Adaptive
Now in the 2020s, the COVID-19 pandemic and global events have thrown parents yet another curveball.
Parents had to deal with remote classes and increasing use of technology in the classroom since.
Social media is an ever-increasing presence in the lives of kids of all ages and kids are dealing with severe mental health issues. It’s getting even more important for parents to be involved to keep them safe.