Maybe it's because there is a feeling of guilt way down inside, or maybe it's a "get off my lawn" situation, but boy do folks our parents' age get heated when anyone talks about things our parents did in the '80s and '90s that are big no-nos now. I mean, I don't blame y'all, and obviously most of us turned out OK, but there are some huge safety things that are actually really important that aren't contributing to the "wussification of America," or whatever the heck people are calling it these days.
I mean, there have been scientific studies done to prove how doing (or not doing) these things is actually better and safer for kids. Statistically, the rates of SIDs has gone down and more children have been safe in car accidents. Just because your kid didn't die in the car without a car seat doesn't mean other people's kids did not during this time — and in high quantities. Or just because your kid didn't die when they slept on their belly doesn't mean many, many kids didn't. Statistically showing, SIDs rates have gone down and our kids are thriving now.
But it's still funny to think about some of the stuff us '80s and '90s kids were allowed to do that we probably wouldn't let our own kids do. And no offense, Mom and Dad, I know y'all were and still are the best parents — and I think I did turn out OK for the most part — but I will continue to put my child in the proper car seat rear-facing until he hits the proper weight limit, among other things.
5
Riding In The Back Of A Pickup Truck
Again, much to my parent's dismay, I would ride in the back of my neighbor's parent's truck to go to DQ for an ice cream. He'd be going 70 miles per hour and we'd be hanging in the back — but we did lie down because it was so windy, not because this was dangerous beyond belief or anything. According to the AAA website, driving laws now prohibit this act for minors under 18. "Riding in the cargo area of a pickup truck is not permitted for persons under 18 or if the vehicle is traveling more than 35 mph; some other exceptions apply," the website noted.
6
Not Using Car Seats Or Using Them Improperly
Which brings me to another aspect of vehicles and kids: the car seat. My god have we come a long way in the carseat department from when I was a kid. I have seen pictures of what was basically a piece of scrap metal that was strapped into the backseat of my mom's van. Hey, that's what they were selling and recommending at the time, so I don't blame her. We also didn't have any of this booster seat stuff either.
Sriraman says, "I still remember the stories of me sitting in the car on a road trip to Florida without a car seat! Even from the time my oldest was born 17 years ago, car seat recommendations have changed. Putting children in the back seat with seat belt is no longer enough. Children up to the age of 2 should be placed in a rear-facing car seat, with children up to the age of 4 (and 40 pounds) in a car-restraint system. Children up to the age of 8 (and 80 pounds) should be in a booster seat."