Growing up as a Gen Xer meant experiencing a childhood that would leave today’s parents wide-eyed with disbelief. It was a time of unsupervised adventures, questionable safety standards, and a whole lot of independence. With fewer rules and less constant monitoring, kids learned to navigate the world on their own—sometimes in ways that would send modern parents into a panic. Here are 13 things Gen X grew up doing that would horrify parents today.
1. Sneaking Out Of The House For Hours Without Anyone Knowing Where They Were
Back in the day, kids would head out the door after breakfast and not return until the streetlights came on. No cell phones, no GPS tracking—just a vague idea of where they might be. Whether they were riding bikes, exploring the woods, or hanging out at a friend’s house, parents rarely knew their exact location. As reported by HowStuffWorks, “Higher divorce rates and more job opportunities for women left a reported 3 million 6- to 13-year-olds fending for themselves after school in 1982. The kids were often recognized by the house key they wore on a string around their necks.”
While this level of freedom helped kids develop independence and problem-solving skills, it’s a concept that would send today’s parents into a panic. With modern concerns about safety and constant communication, the idea of not knowing where your child is for hours on end feels unthinkable. But for Gen X, it was just another day of unsupervised fun.
2. Listening To True-Crime Cassette Tapes Before Bedtime
Long before podcasts became popular, true-crime cassette tapes offered a glimpse into the darker side of human nature. Many Gen X kids would listen to these tapes late at night, captivated by stories of unsolved mysteries, serial killers, and haunted houses. The eerie sound effects and dramatic narration added to the thrill, making bedtime a little less restful. AARP Arrow reports that over 50 percent of Gen Xers and millennials watch true crime series compared to around 40 percent of Gen Zers and baby boomers.
Today’s parents are more cautious about what their kids are exposed to, especially when it comes to scary or disturbing content. The idea of kids falling asleep to tales of crime and horror seems more likely to cause nightmares than entertainment. But for Gen X, those late-night listens were a thrilling—and sometimes terrifying—part of growing up.
3. Using Fireworks Unsupervised—And Sometimes Indoors
For many Gen X kids, fireworks were a DIY experience. Firecrackers, bottle rockets, and sparklers were often lit without adult supervision—sometimes even indoors, just to see what would happen. Safety precautions were minimal, and accidents were seen as part of the learning process.
Today, parents are far more cautious about fireworks, with strict regulations and an emphasis on safety. The thought of kids handling explosives without supervision is enough to make modern parents cringe. But for Gen X, the thrill of lighting fireworks was worth the occasional singed finger or burned patch of grass.
4. Calling Collect From Pay Phones At All Hours
Before cell phones became the norm, payphones were a lifeline for kids who needed to call home. But long-distance calls weren’t cheap, so many Gen Xers mastered the art of the collect call. Instead of leaving a message, they’d say their name quickly—“Mom, pick me up at the mall!”—before the operator could charge their parents.
Today’s parents can’t imagine a world without instant communication. With smartphones and family tracking apps, kids are always just a text or call away. But for Gen X, finding a payphone and hoping their parents answered was just part of growing up in a world where communication wasn’t always instant—or free.
5. Listening To Inappropriate Music With Curse Words
Before the rise of sanitized kids’ music, Gen X grew up listening to songs with lyrics that would make today’s parents cringe. From rebellious rock anthems to edgy hip-hop tracks, kids often had access to music that was far from family-friendly. Parents didn’t always monitor what their kids listened to, and explicit content warnings weren’t as common.
While today’s parents might opt for kid-friendly playlists and parental controls, Gen X learned about the world through unfiltered music. Those cassette tapes and CDs were a gateway to raw emotions, social commentary, and sometimes a few words that would earn a time-out in today’s households.
6. Wearing Metal-Tipped Lawn Darts As Fashion Accessories
Lawn darts—also known as Jarts—were a popular backyard game that involved throwing heavy, metal-tipped darts toward plastic rings on the ground. Despite their obvious potential for injury, these darts were marketed as family-friendly fun. Some kids even repurposed the sharp, metallic tips as makeshift accessories, adding a rebellious edge to their outfits. According to Wikipedia, lawn darts were banned for sale in the United States and Canada after thousands of injuries and at least three children’s deaths were attributed to them.
Today’s parents can’t imagine letting their kids play with what amounted to miniature spears. But for Gen X, the risk of a stray dart was just part of the excitement—and the occasional close call was a badge of honor.
7. Blowing Their Allowance On Cigarettes While Underage
Believe it or not, cigarette vending machines were once a common sight—and they didn’t ask for ID. Many Gen X teens spent their allowance feeding coins into these machines, buying cigarettes without a second glance. Smoking was more socially acceptable back then, and regulations around tobacco sales were far more relaxed. According to Whitney Hess, “In 1980 when this machine was probably manufactured, cigarettes cost a mere 63 cents per pack. Now they’re being sold for $6.75.”
Today, the idea of kids having such easy access to cigarettes would horrify most parents. With stricter age restrictions, anti-smoking campaigns, and increased awareness of health risks, this once-common practice now seems shockingly irresponsible. But for Gen X, it was just another part of growing up with fewer rules and more freedom.
8. Babysitting Other Kids While Still Needing A Babysitter Themselves
It wasn’t uncommon for Gen X kids to babysit younger siblings or neighborhood kids while still being young enough to need supervision themselves. Teenagers—and sometimes preteens—were trusted to cook meals, change diapers, and handle emergencies without adult backup. Parents saw it as a way to teach responsibility, and kids saw it as a chance to earn a little extra cash.
Today, the idea of leaving a 12-year-old in charge of multiple children would raise eyebrows. With stricter guidelines around child care and an increased focus on safety, parents are more cautious about who they trust with their kids. But for Gen X, babysitting was a rite of passage—and a crash course in adulthood that started earlier than most parents would allow today.
9. Getting Severly Sunburned Because Sunscreen Wasn’t A Thing
For many Gen X kids, sunscreen was more of a suggestion than a necessity. Summer meant long days outside, often without a single application of SPF. The result? Sunburns were a seasonal rite of passage, with peeling skin and aloe vera becoming familiar companions. Tanning was seen as a sign of health, and the risks of sun exposure weren’t as widely understood.
Today’s parents are far more vigilant about protecting their kids from the sun, with SPF, sun hats, and UV-protective clothing considered essential. The idea of letting kids bake in the sun without protection seems reckless by today’s standards. But for Gen X, a sunburn was just part of summer—along with the inevitable lecture about wearing a hat next time.
10. Playing With Chemical-Laden Toys Like Creepy Crawlers And Easy-Bake Ovens
Toys of the past weren’t always designed with safety in mind. Creepy Crawlers kits let kids create rubbery bugs using heated metal molds and liquid plastic, while Easy-Bake Ovens used actual light bulbs to cook miniature cakes. These toys often involved hot surfaces, questionable chemicals, and the occasional minor burn.
Today’s toy regulations are far stricter, with an emphasis on safety and non-toxic materials. The idea of giving kids toys that involve heat and chemicals would horrify modern parents. But for Gen X, the thrill of making their own creations—along with the occasional singed fingertip—was just part of the fun.
11. Learning To Drive In Cars Without Seat Belts—Or Airbags
Before seat belt laws became widespread, many Gen X teens learned to drive in cars that lacked basic safety features like airbags, anti-lock brakes, and crumple zones. Seat belts were often optional, and some cars didn’t even have them in the back seats. Kids would pile into cars without a second thought, often riding in the back of pickup trucks or sitting on each other’s laps.
Today’s parents prioritize car safety, with booster seats, seat belts, and airbags considered non-negotiable. The idea of letting kids ride unrestrained—or learning to drive without proper safety features—seems unthinkable. But for Gen X, the freedom of the open road often came with fewer rules and a lot more risk.
12. Going Inside A Stranger’s House On Halloween, No Questions Asked
Trick-or-treating in the Gen X era meant wandering the neighborhood after dark, ringing doorbells at houses with no porch lights, and accepting candy from strangers without hesitation. There were no trunk-or-treat events or carefully curated “safe zones”—just kids in costumes exploring their neighborhoods with pillowcases full of candy and no parental supervision.
Today’s parents are far more cautious about Halloween safety, with an emphasis on well-lit neighborhoods, pre-approved candy, and adult chaperones. The idea of kids wandering unsupervised and approaching strangers’ houses seems risky by modern standards. But for Gen X, Halloween was a night of freedom and adventure—no permission slips required.
13. Riding Bikes Without Helmets And On The Road
Back in the day, helmets were optional, and bike rides often turned into wild adventures. Kids would zoom down hills, pop wheelies, and race through neighborhoods with zero protective gear. Falling off and getting scraped up was considered a rite of passage, not a reason to slow down. Unless it required stitches, most injuries were shrugged off with a quick rinse from the garden hose.
Today’s parents wouldn’t dream of letting their kids ride without helmets, knee pads, and strict safety rules. Bike safety laws and parental caution have made those carefree days a thing of the past. While it’s undeniably safer now, some Gen Xers might argue that those bumps and bruises taught them resilience—and maybe a little street cred.
