When I Was Younger

1. We walked to school in the  rain, snow or sleet, +30C (86F) to -40C (-40F), uphill, both ways. We also came home for lunch at noon. There was a public bus, but only weenies rode it.

2. The snow was much deeper then, up to our thighs at times.

3. We played outside, no matter what the weather, walking 3 miles each way to ski at the golf course.

4.  We swam about 3 miles per day in the summer, in the lake, unsupervised, from a beach to an island to a dock to another beach and back.

5. Our parents were not paranoid about us getting drowned, hurt, or abducted.

6. The local police had a way of straightening out delinquents that is not socially acceptable today. It worked, and generally left no marks.

7. There was a place for Juvenile Delinquents, where you definitely did not want to go! (See 6, it didn't always work)

8. The newspapers published names, so that the community knew who and what they were dealing with.

9. You left your house, garage and whatever unlocked when you were out. (See 6,7, 8 above)

10. The first day for swimming was the 24th of May, even if it meant breaking ice on the creek.

11. We sang "Oh Canada" and had morning prayers in the public school system. That meant that we knew where we lived and who God was. Non-believers were few, and could be excused from singing or attending the prayer session if they so wished. A few would sit it out, but no one commented on it.

12. After a few warnings, children could be strapped in the school system. It hurt like heck, but also hurt in the pride. Trust me, I know! When word got back home, it generally called for another licking as a reminder.

13. Parents could spank their children when necessary, without Social Services showing up at the front door.

14. Kids respected their parents, their parents property, and the property of others.

15. Graffiti? What's that?

16. If you fouled up and damaged something, your parents were responsible for restitution. (See 13)

17. When you encountered a bully, you duked it out which generally resulted in a resolution. If you won, problem solved. If you lost, problem also solved, as the bully knew you would fight back. If you were caught, Item 12 above applied which was a lose/lose situation for both.

18. Children respected and honoured their parents.

19. Children knew who their parents were. If a guy got a girl in the family way, he was expected to drop everything, get a job, and marry her. At age 16 to 18, that was a BIG deterrent.

20. Divorce was almost unheard of, and seen as shameful.

21. From the age of about 13, you were responsible for your own actions. I was underprivileged because my parents were alcoholics, separated, black, white or ? did not cut it. My Dad was a Justice of the Peace, and to make a point at about this age, he took me to the local  gaol, into a small room, and had me stand on a square on the floor. Yes, it was the hanging room, and yes, our Provincial Jail still hung people in those days. It made an impression that bad things can happen to people who make bad decisions. It's a little more than the slap on the wrist you get nowadays. Oops, can't slap on the wrist any more!

Looking at Society as a whole today, I would much rather be raised in  "The Good Old Days" than the way it is today.  It's too bad that this part of the clock can't be turned back! Maybe it could be if people would take the time to revert to the old values of God and Country and a judicial system that promoted responsibility!
FWIW.