Growing up in the 1970s-1990s, safety standards were much lower. Children played without seatbelts, airbags, safety locks, helmets or pads. They built things, climbed trees, swam in rivers, and rode bikes for hours with no phones. Though injuries occurred, children had freedom and learned responsibility. The document reflects fondly on an era before technology where real-world adventure and friendships were the focus.
2. How did one survive growing upHow did one survive growing up
in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s ?in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s ?
3. We had no seatbelts, no airbags andWe had no seatbelts, no airbags and
sitting in the back of a ute was asitting in the back of a ute was a
treat…treat…
4. Our baby prams had the mostOur baby prams had the most
georgeous lead based colours…georgeous lead based colours…
5. No such thing as tamper proof bottleNo such thing as tamper proof bottle
tops…tops…
Opening kitchen cupboards was aOpening kitchen cupboards was a
breeze… as safety locks were unheardbreeze… as safety locks were unheard
off…off…
6. Cycling was like a breath of fresh air…Cycling was like a breath of fresh air…
no safety helmets, knee pads or elbowno safety helmets, knee pads or elbow
pads, with plenty of cardboardspads, with plenty of cardboards
between spokes to make it sound like abetween spokes to make it sound like a
motorbike…motorbike…
7. When thirsty we only drank tap water,When thirsty we only drank tap water,
bottled water was still a mystery…bottled water was still a mystery…
8. We kept busy collecting bits & piecesWe kept busy collecting bits & pieces
so we could build all sort of things …so we could build all sort of things …
and we were fearless on our bikes evenand we were fearless on our bikes even
when the brakes failed goingwhen the brakes failed going
downhill…downhill…
9. We were showing off how tough weWe were showing off how tough we
are, by how high we could climb trees &are, by how high we could climb trees &
then jumping down….It was greatthen jumping down….It was great
fun….fun….
10. We could stay out to play for hours,We could stay out to play for hours,
as long as we got back before dark,as long as we got back before dark,
in time for dinner…in time for dinner…
11. We walked to school, or sometimes weWe walked to school, or sometimes we
even rode our bike.even rode our bike.
12. We had no mobile phones, but weWe had no mobile phones, but we
always managed to find each other….always managed to find each other….
How? no one knows…How? no one knows…
13. We lost teeth,We lost teeth, broke arms & legsbroke arms & legs , we, we
got cuts and bruises and bloodygot cuts and bruises and bloody
noses…. nobody complained as wenoses…. nobody complained as we
had so much fun, it wasn’t anybodyshad so much fun, it wasn’t anybodys
fault, only oursfault, only ours
14. We ate everything in sight, cakes, bread,We ate everything in sight, cakes, bread,
chocolate, icecream, sweet sugary drinks,chocolate, icecream, sweet sugary drinks,
yet, we stayed skinny by fooling around.yet, we stayed skinny by fooling around.
15. And if one of us was lucky to find a 1And if one of us was lucky to find a 1
litrelitre
coca cola bottle we all had a swag fromcoca cola bottle we all had a swag from
it & guess what? nobody picked up anyit & guess what? nobody picked up any
germs...germs...
16. We did not have Play Stations, MP3,We did not have Play Stations, MP3,
Nintendo’s,Nintendo’s,
I-Pods, Video games, 99 Cable TVI-Pods, Video games, 99 Cable TV
channels,channels,
DVD’s, Home Cinema, Mobile phones,DVD’s, Home Cinema, Mobile phones,
Home Computers, Laptops, Chat-rooms,Home Computers, Laptops, Chat-rooms,
Internet, etc ... BUT, we had REALInternet, etc ... BUT, we had REAL
FRIENDS!!!!FRIENDS!!!!
17. We called on friends to come out toWe called on friends to come out to
play, never rang the doorbell,play, never rang the doorbell,
just went around the back…just went around the back…
18. We loved being let loose in theWe loved being let loose in the
big bad world…withoutbig bad world…without
bodyguards…bodyguards…
19. We played with sticks and stones, playedWe played with sticks and stones, played
cowboys and Indians, doctors and nurses,cowboys and Indians, doctors and nurses,
hide and seek, soccer games,hide and seek, soccer games,
over and over again…over and over again…
20. When we failed our exams we wereWhen we failed our exams we were
given a second chance by simplygiven a second chance by simply
repeating the same grade…withoutrepeating the same grade…without
visiting psychiatrists, psychologists orvisiting psychiatrists, psychologists or
counselors…counselors…
such were the days…such were the days…
21. We had freedom, success,We had freedom, success,
disappointments and responsibilities...disappointments and responsibilities...
Most of all, we learned to respectMost of all, we learned to respect
others…others…
22. Are YOU from that generation?? If that’s theAre YOU from that generation?? If that’s the
case, email this to all your friends from thecase, email this to all your friends from the
same era…same era…
Maybe this message will help them forget theMaybe this message will help them forget the
stress that surrounds us these days….and juststress that surrounds us these days….and just
for a few moments puts a smile to their facesfor a few moments puts a smile to their faces
as they remember what life was really like inas they remember what life was really like in
the good old days……the good old days……