In 1980 something, if you were a kid, there were so many things in that time period that you saw and did. Today those things would be outright banned and overly regulated, by an overzealous board of over zealous legislators. Things happened the way they did and it was what it was, that's the way things were done, just because, well, just because.
There were no kids with any allergies, everyone had to eat all their food, and if you died from your allergy to peanuts, oh well, screw you. Teachers gave out hugs to students, and no ill gotten will was assumed, and on occasion, your teachers were actually allowed to hit you with a broom. You were called a tattle tale if you snitched on your bullies, and when they found you after school, they would take you and beat you fully.
Welcome to our playgrounds, there wasn't any safety plastic in sight, you got on the see-saw and damn well catapulted through the air and the night. The high slides were made of metal, that heated up in the sun, but you still went down 20 times in a row, and you still had fun. You kicked up dangerously high on the swings for an epic feat, and then you jumped off those things onto hard solid concrete. If you broke and arm or a leg, it was all part of normal kid play. Your parents didn't get pissed and sue the manufacturer or the city the next day. Your instructions were always simple, go with your friends and hang around, and you were never expected back between the hours of sun up to sun down.
There were no such things as bumper beds, car seats, or booster chairs for any of us. You rolled off onto the floor or out the window of every bed, chair, and school bus. If you were driven somewhere, and your mom had to stop quickly in alarm, she shielded your precious body, with that infamous, "mom arm." You never cancelled a Christmas party just because the one kid didn't believe; if he didn't like it, guess what, he would have to leave. Everyone babysat by the ripe old age of 10 with the only rules being don't open the door and don't burn down the kitchen. No one seriously worried if you walked home alone at night, they just pretty much figured, meh, you'll probably be alright.
In sports there was only one winner for every game ever played, none of that certificates for everyone just for showing up that day. Teachers ruled the classroom, while parents kept their kids in check, and kids were made to give those teachers, the utmost respect. Cold War bomb drills were still common, we had to "hide" in the halls or under our desks, but no one ever questioned how that was supposed to actually help us to survive that mess.
Those days are long gone, like a feverish nostalgia dream. Now nothing can just be what it is, or seem, what it seems. No kids can go out for an innocent bike ride, without pedophilia checks, and cell phones in stride. Schools have been sanitized, teachers fear for their jobs, because they have no way of dealing with bratty kids and their parental snobs. Parks are the equivalent of soft teddy bears, how is it your kids can play without a single scrape anywhere? There are no more winners in sports anymore, everyone is a winner, all one hundred and twenty-four! Holiday parties, Birthdays, and food served are all on mute, because everyone has an allergy, doesn't celebrate, or wants to file a lawsuit. The 80s are done and gone, 1989 was its end, but boy I sure do miss it all, I miss it my friend.
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