Teenage life now and then is it easier now?
Is childhood more dangerous now or is it exactly the same as when I was growing up? When I was growing up so much was swept under the carpet and if a man lived on his own down the street my mother would say stay away from that house, he is strange and not to be trusted. Looking back I can’t think of any justifiable reason why she would say that.
The interesting thing for me is that if you wanted to buy alcohol it was, easy cigarettes simple too as they never checked your age. In fact I used to tell my local shopkeeper that they were for my mum and he served me. Nowadays you have to look 25 and give ID so in my opinion those two issues are definitely safer.
Drugs, yes it was readily available in my youth, but today it frightens me how easy it is to buy in the pub, on the internet, infact just about anywhere and really the nightmare is you really have no idea what you are taking and the youth of today see drugs so often as just recreational. It’s part of their culture and as our little ones grow up educating them about the dangers of drugs is going to be vital. Drugs are a path to destruction and not just for the one person taking them, but for everybody around them.
When I was growing up life did seem simpler, actually it was simpler. The pressures to have the latest designer gear didn’t exist and more often than not I would have what mother could afford. Children today once they are a certain age it really does have to be certain clothes, shoes or a specific phone.
The Internet is without a question amazing, but holds so many dangers for our children that never existed when I was growing up. As parents we need to exercise our parental controls and this includes me. I believe we are lazy and don’t control our children’s appetite for the internet and social media in particular so often is the case that something happens and that if we had been more observant and asked a few questions we could have prevented things from happening.
Sex for myself growing up – AIDS, chlamydia and many more conditions just didn’t exist. Of course there were sexually transmitted diseases, but not to the level it is today. Safe sex – my goodness what was that? The only thing I worried about was getting somebody pregnant. Today’s youth still have to think about that, but also the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases, and unfortunately still play with fire.
So the good old days were probably simpler, less hazardous and less difficult than today, but the pressures on the youth of today is enormous and I feel for them and I actually don’t feel even remotely envious of their youth. It’s a tough world to be a teenager in.
17 Comments
Flying Solo
May 25, 2016 at 6:32 am
I totally agree, I preferred my childhood to theirs but they don't know any different do they I guess we could say we preferred our childhood rather than our parents & grandparents.
Nigel
June 3, 2016 at 9:09 pm
That's most likely true they don't thanks for commenting
Nigel
June 3, 2016 at 9:10 pm
I agree I preferred my childhood thanks for commenting
Sarah Howe
May 25, 2016 at 6:53 am
I'm so glad I haven't got to do it again now! So much pressure to look good and be a certain way! I often wonder though will it have changed again in 10 years time when our girls are older? Always something different! Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst x
Nigel
June 3, 2016 at 9:11 pm
Me too done once more than enough thanks for commenting
john adams
May 26, 2016 at 5:46 am
Oh it's all so complicated Nigel. I think about my own upbringing and the crazy stuff I got up to as a teenager. Life is indeed os much different. I think the pace of life these days is so staggering and that's gpoing to be one of th ebiggest issues for our offspring. As for drugs and sex. Well, a convent seems like a good idea but I'm not sure it's realistic. Have you considered it for your kids?
Nigel
June 3, 2016 at 9:11 pm
All true John thanks for commenting
Sarah Arthurwears
May 27, 2016 at 8:34 am
I think it's a bit of both – I do wonder if sometimes it seemed safer in the past because we didn't have the social media to report on issues like we do now so there could have been more ignorance? #Binkylinky
Nigel
June 3, 2016 at 9:12 pm
Social media does have a lot to answer to thanks for commenting
Laughing Mum
May 27, 2016 at 10:29 am
it's so different! we used to play out all the time around the whole area for hours, these days I find myself glancing at the clock and out the window if they've been gone for 10 minutes, because Im worried something will happen. I know these things did exist when I was growing up too, but everything is so widely publicised now, that I seem to be reading about another missing kid every day! And yes, the need to have everything is ridiculous! We spend a fortune on just keeping the kids up to date! I wouldn't do it if we couldn't afford too, but the pressure is just huge! oh for a simpler time ay?! #binkylinky
Nigel
June 3, 2016 at 9:13 pm
I use to play outside for hours only went home when I was hungry thanks for commenting
Jeremy Barnes
May 27, 2016 at 3:50 pm
I'm sure every generation says the same thing, but it sure seemed a lot easier when I was a kid. I grew up in a small town that I appreciate so much more now that I'm older. That might be part of it, but like you say, I just don't remember there being as much pressure on me as these kids seem to face. It also seemed like people in general were a whole lot nicer
Nigel
June 3, 2016 at 9:14 pm
There is more pressure on kids today I agree thanks for commenting
Mum in Brum
May 28, 2016 at 11:14 am
I often say that I would've hated to go to school when Facebook existed – I used to love coming home and being able to switch off from the schoolground politics – I really feel for teenagers today who are getting bullied as it must follow them home online. I do think there is so much more of a fixation on looks these days which I also find sad – there must be so much pressure on girls today with the media, selfie culture etc. I do worry for my little one #bestandworst
Nigel
June 3, 2016 at 9:14 pm
Me too FB in school must be at times a nightmare thanks for commenting
Jade The Parenting Jungle
May 28, 2016 at 12:46 pm
I think this is a really interesting post, its nice to see differing perspectives, I always wonder what life will be like as a teenager for my 5 year old in a generation where they teach coding at primary school. I think as long as you are an understanding parent that is important. I also grew up in the country and my son is being brought up in a city which makes me act different to my own mother, its swings and roundabouts #brilliantblogposts
Nigel
June 3, 2016 at 9:15 pm
I suppose that's what I am wondering for my four year old twins thanks for commenting