Parenting in the 80s was a completely different world—one where rules were looser, safety concerns were minimal, and kids had a level of independence that would probably horrify modern parents. What was once considered normal parenting behavior would raise eyebrows (or even spark outrage) today. Whether it was letting kids fend for themselves or dismissing health risks that we now take seriously, here are some of the most controversial things parents did in the 80s that wouldn’t fly today.
1. Letting Kids Sip Beer “Just To Try It” At Family Gatherings
In the 80s, it wasn’t unusual for parents to hand their kid a sip of beer or let them try a tiny bit of wine “just to see how gross it was.” This was often framed as a way to demystify alcohol, making it less appealing when kids got older. The idea was that if it wasn’t forbidden, they wouldn’t be tempted to binge on it later.
Today, this would be a parenting scandal. With stricter alcohol laws and research highlighting the dangers of early exposure to drinking, parents are far more cautious. According to a University at Buffalo study, early sipping of alcohol in childhood is linked to increased drinking frequency and negative consequences in late adolescence. Instead of casual sips at the dinner table, today’s parents focus on open discussions about responsible drinking and setting clear boundaries.
2. Sending Kids Into The Store Alone With A $5 Bill
Back in the day, sending an 8-year-old into the store alone wasn’t seen as neglect—it was seen as teaching independence. Parents would hand their kid a few bucks, give them simple instructions, and fully expect them to complete the errand without issue. There was no texting to check in, no GPS tracking—just blind faith that they’d return in one piece.
Now, sending a child into a store alone would make many parents nervous. Research from Today’s Parent highlights that modern parents prioritize supervised independence, reflecting a shift from earlier norms of unsupervised errands. While independence is still important, modern parenting tends to involve more supervision, with kids staying close or learning responsibility in safer, more controlled ways.
3. Smoking In The House, Car, Or Anywhere With Kids Right Next To Them
In the 80s, smoking was practically a lifestyle. Parents smoked in the house, in the car, at the dinner table—often with kids sitting right next to them. Ashtrays were household staples, and the idea of secondhand smoke being dangerous wasn’t widely discussed. If a kid coughed? They were just “being dramatic.”
Fast forward to today, and this would be completely unacceptable. The CDC warns that secondhand smoke exposure in children increases risks of asthma, respiratory infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Many public places have banned smoking entirely, and parents are much more mindful about keeping their habits away from their kids. What was once normal is now seen as a serious health risk.
4. Recording TV Shows Over Precious Home Videos Because Blank VHS Tapes Were Expensive
VHS tapes weren’t cheap, and in the 80s, families often reused them. It wasn’t uncommon to find a home video of a child’s birthday party suddenly cutting into an episode of a soap opera—or worse, another family member’s special moment getting recorded over completely. The logic? Why waste money on new tapes when you could just tape over the old ones? As noted by VHS Vault, families in the 1980s often reused tapes due to cost, risking the irreversible loss of home videos—a practice now obsolete with digital storage.
Today, with cloud storage and unlimited digital recording, the idea of losing precious memories due to re-recording seems absurd. Parents now have endless ways to store and preserve their kids’ milestones, making the “oops, I taped over your first steps” scenario a relic of the past. The convenience of modern technology means every moment can be saved forever without fear of erasure.
5. Letting Babies Nap On Their Stomachs With Loose Blankets, Bumpers, And Stuffed Animals Galore
In the 80s, cribs were basically stuffed with every soft object imaginable—thick blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and even decorative bumpers. The general consensus was that babies should sleep on their stomachs to prevent choking, and parents had no concerns about suffocation risks. The focus was on warmth and comfort, not safety.
Now, safe sleep guidelines have completely reversed. The “Back to Sleep” campaign emphasized that babies should sleep on their backs with nothing in the crib except a fitted sheet. Parents today follow strict guidelines to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), making the overstuffed cribs of the past seem downright reckless.
6. Leaving Kids In The Car While They “Ran In Real Quick” To The Store
In the 80s, parents thought nothing of leaving their kids in the car while they ran errands. Whether it was grabbing groceries or stopping at the bank, kids were often left in the backseat with a simple “I’ll be right back.” Sometimes, these quick trips turned into full-on shopping sprees, with kids waiting in hot cars for far longer than intended.
Today, this is a major safety issue. Laws against leaving children unattended in vehicles have been put in place due to the risk of car theft, overheating, and other dangers. Modern parents wouldn’t dream of leaving their kids alone in a parked car, as even a short absence could lead to serious consequences.
7. Not Owning Car Seats And Seat Belts Were “Optional” At Best
Car safety in the 80s was practically nonexistent compared to today. Many parents let kids ride in the front seat as soon as they were out of a baby carrier, and seat belts were often ignored completely. Some kids rode in cars without any restraints at all, bouncing around in the backseat like it was a jungle gym.
Today, car seat laws are much stricter. Rear-facing seats are recommended for much longer, booster seats are used well into elementary school, and seat belts are a non-negotiable. What was once considered normal is now seen as incredibly unsafe, with parents taking far more precautions to protect their kids on the road.
8. Letting Kids Roam The Neighborhood Until Dark With Zero Supervision
One of the most defining features of 80s childhood was the freedom to roam. Kids would leave the house in the morning, ride bikes, play in the woods, or hang out at a friend’s house, all with zero parental supervision. As long as they were home before the streetlights came on, everything was fine.
Now, parents are much more cautious. With increased awareness of child safety risks, the idea of letting kids wander unsupervised for hours seems unthinkable. Today’s kids have scheduled playdates, cell phones, and parents who always know exactly where they are. While some argue that 80s kids had more independence, modern parenting prioritizes safety in a way that simply wasn’t a concern back then.
9. Telling Kids To “Walk It Off” When They Hurt Themselves
In the 80s, pain tolerance was practically a badge of honor. If a kid scraped their knee or fell off their bike, parents weren’t likely to rush over with ice packs and sympathy. Instead, they’d get a casual, “Walk it off” or “You’re fine,” even if they were bleeding. The idea was that tough love built resilience, and minor injuries weren’t worth making a fuss over.
Today, parenting is much more emotionally aware. While encouraging kids to be strong is still important, parents now recognize that validating a child’s pain helps them process it in a healthy way. The modern approach leans more toward comfort, checking for real injuries, and teaching kids how to take care of themselves without dismissing their emotions. What used to be seen as a lesson in toughness is now understood as potentially harmful, making kids feel like their pain doesn’t matter.
10. Making Kids Answer The House Phone And Take Messages
Before cell phones and caller ID, answering the family landline was a household responsibility. Kids were expected to pick up the phone, deliver a polite greeting, and take down messages accurately. If they fumbled the conversation, they’d get an earful from their parents about “sounding respectable” and “not embarrassing the family.”
Now, kids barely touch landlines—if their house even has one. Most communication happens via text, and parents don’t rely on their children to screen calls or take messages. The art of phone etiquette has faded, and while that might be a relief to shy kids, it also means many of them never develop basic phone conversation skills. What was once a standard expectation is now an outdated relic of pre-digital life.
11. Giving Kids Total Freedom At The Mall, Arcade, Or Skating Rink With No Way To Check In
In the 80s, dropping a group of kids off at the mall, arcade, or roller rink was considered completely normal. Parents would set a pickup time, hand over a few dollars, and trust that their kids wouldn’t get into trouble. There were no cell phones, no GPS tracking—just a mutual agreement to meet at the food court when it was time to go.
Today, the thought of leaving kids in a crowded public place with no way to reach them would make most parents break into a cold sweat. With modern concerns about safety, many parents insist on staying nearby or at least making sure their kids have phones. While the 80s gave kids a taste of independence, modern parenting places a much bigger emphasis on constant communication and supervision.
12. Ignoring Food Allergies Or Sensitivities—Picky Eating Wasn’t An Option
In the 80s, food allergies weren’t taken nearly as seriously as they are today. If a kid said they didn’t like something, they were called picky. If they said a certain food made their stomach hurt, they were told to eat it anyway. Unless a child had a severe, life-threatening allergy, parents often brushed off complaints as whining or being difficult.
Now, food allergies are widely recognized, and dietary needs are taken much more seriously. Schools have nut-free policies, and parents are more informed about intolerances and sensitivities. Instead of forcing kids to “just eat what’s on their plate,” modern parenting focuses on understanding individual needs and making sure kids aren’t consuming things that could harm them. What was once dismissed as overreacting is now understood as essential for children’s well-being.
13. Letting Kids Ride In The Back Of Pickup Trucks, Because What Could Go Wrong?
There was a time when seeing kids sitting in the open bed of a pickup truck, wind in their hair, was completely normal. Whether it was a quick ride home or a fun summer evening cruise, parents didn’t think twice about letting their kids pile into the back of a truck with zero restraints.
Today, this would result in instant panic—not to mention legal trouble. Modern car safety laws have made it clear that riding in a pickup bed is incredibly dangerous, and most parents wouldn’t dream of allowing it. While 80s parents thought of it as harmless fun, modern understanding of accident risks has completely changed the way people approach vehicle safety. Now, even a short drive without proper restraints is considered reckless.
14. Sending Sick Kids To School Unless They Were Vomiting
Unless a kid had a fever or was physically throwing up, 80s parents expected them to power through school. A little cough? No big deal. A sore throat? Tough it out. Skipping school for minor symptoms wasn’t seen as necessary, and many kids went to class feeling miserable because their parents didn’t believe in taking sick days for “small stuff.”
Now, especially after recent public health concerns, parents are much more cautious. A child with cold symptoms is often kept home to prevent spreading germs, and schools encourage parents to be mindful of illnesses. What was once considered a sign of resilience is now seen as a health risk. Modern parenting prioritizes both the sick child’s recovery and the well-being of those around them.
15. Never Bothering To Slather Kids In Sunscreen, Even At The Beach
In the 80s, sunscreen wasn’t an everyday necessity—it was more of a vacation-only thing. Unless kids were spending hours at the beach or pool, many parents didn’t think about applying sunscreen. Sunburns were just seen as part of summer, and peeling skin was treated like a rite of passage.
Now, we know much more about the long-term effects of sun exposure. Modern parents are diligent about sunscreen, even for short outings. SPF is a daily essential, not just a beach-day accessory. What used to be brushed off as a minor inconvenience is now recognized as an important part of protecting kids from future skin damage and health risks.
16. Threatening To “Turn This Car Around” But Never Actually Doing It
Every 80s kid heard this threat at some point. If siblings were fighting in the backseat or a road trip got too chaotic, parents would yell, “Don’t make me turn this car around!” It was a go-to scare tactic, but in reality, it was almost never followed through. Parents knew it, kids knew it—it was just part of the ritual.
These days, modern parenting tends to rely less on empty threats. While parents still set boundaries, they focus more on logical consequences rather than dramatic ultimatums. While 80s parents relied on verbal warnings, today’s parents are more likely to enforce real consequences instead of relying on threats they never intend to carry out.
17. Casually Making Fun Of Kids’ Weight, Appearance, Or Quirks
In the 80s, teasing was often disguised as tough love. Parents made casual comments about their kids’ weight, eating habits, or physical appearance without considering the emotional impact. The idea was that a little teasing would make kids “tougher” or prevent them from getting picked on in the real world.
Today, we understand that these comments can be incredibly damaging. Body image issues, self-esteem struggles, and anxiety about appearance often stem from childhood remarks that were never meant to be harmful. Modern parenting emphasizes body positivity, kindness, and teaching kids to be confident rather than self-conscious. What was once brushed off as harmless banter is now understood as a major contributor to childhood insecurity.
