14 Household Rules Many 1960s Parents Enforced Without Question

In the 1960s, home life was guided by rules that kids did not question much. The rules were designed to ensure that kids grew up to be responsible adults. The rules affected every aspect of the kids’ lives, including when they left the house, what they ate, what they did, how they spoke to adults, and what they did to show respect. The kids were encouraged to ask before leaving the house, to sit together at meals, to do homework before engaging in other activities, and to be in bed at a reasonable hour. There were also rules around being polite to adults, using formal titles to address adults, writing thank-you notes, and using the telephone properly.

1. Children Asked Permission Before Leaving the House

In the 1960s, most families didn’t expect a kid to just step outside without a word. Kids knew from a very young age that the front door was not a quick exit hatch. They would ask their parents for permission before they hopped on their bikes to ride down the street or visit their friends. This was true even if they wanted to visit their friend just across the street. Parents wanted to know where their kids were at all times, especially in a neighborhood where everyone looked out for everyone else. A child could stand in the doorway to the kitchen until their mother finished dinner and ask, “May I go outside?” This little exchange established boundaries.

2. Everyone Sat at the Dinner Table at the Same Time

Mealtimes, specifically dinners, were not something one would take on the go, nor were they eaten with starts and stops. The whole family would line up around the table at an appointed time, and most of the crew would show up, unless someone was ill or busy with work. Dad would come home at roughly the same time every night, and dinner would not be until the whole crew was gathered around the table, collectively. The television would be off, and the meal would be the focal point of the day. At the table, the parents would inquire about school, chores, and what was happening around the neighborhood, and the kids would discuss schoolwork or what was happening at the playground, passing around vegetables, meat, and potatoes as they ate.

3. Children Finished Every Bite on Their Plate

The oft-repeated adage that circulated in the 1960s was to consume what was on the plate. The parents of the time believed that not consuming the meal was an insult to the effort put into the meal’s production. The parents of the 1960s had lived through the Great Depression and World War II, and these events influenced their attitudes. When the meal was placed on the table, the kids were expected to consume the entire meal. The vegetables, such as peas, green beans, and carrots, were sometimes the battleground of the meal for the kid and the adult. The kid who did not want to consume the vegetables might be forced to sit at the table long after the rest of the family had finished the meal.

4. Homework Came Before Television or Play

In the 1960s, schoolwork was always done before any fun activities. As soon as the school bell rang at home, kids had to do their schoolwork before they could turn on the TV or go outside to play. This was not changed, even when there was little schoolwork to do. The parents believed that teaching the kids to be responsible was more important than the amount of schoolwork they had to do. A kid might put his schoolbag on the kitchen table as his parent went through his math problems and spelling words. The TV show, whether it was a comedy or cartoon, had to wait until the schoolwork was done. This was all part of the 1960s’ emphasis on discipline and education.

5. Children Addressed Adults With Proper Titles

Respectful language was at the core of many 1960s homes. Kids were not allowed to address adults by their first names. They had to say Mr., Mrs., or Miss followed by the last name. This included neighbors, teachers, family friends, and some older relatives. It was seen as a sign of good upbringing and respect for authority. If kids were seen addressing neighbors in an improper manner, a swift correction in the right direction was given. The community at large reinforced this behavior, and kids were encouraged to say hello in the right manner. Parents felt that respectful language was an important aspect, and if kids made a mistake, it was corrected in front of everyone.

6. Bedtime Was Nonnegotiable

In many 1960s homes, bedtimes were strictly by the clock. Parents were sure that their kids were healthy and ready to tackle the school day with a good, consistent night’s sleep. When the time came, there was no arguing; kids went to bed with no complaining. The youngest went to bed first, and then the rest had a little longer before lights out. It was a ritual, a ceremony of sorts, brushing teeth, putting on pajamas, and saying goodnight to Mom and Dad. As the time for bed approached, the TV shows and activities gradually came to an end, and the room quieted down. A soothing voice would call out the hour, and that was it. There were times when the kids attempted to stall just a little, one more drink of water, one more bedtime story.

7. Children Completed Chores Before Going Out

In many 1960s homes, free time waited until the chores were done. Every day, parents assigned chores, and kids checked off their lists before they were allowed outside to play. The chores varied from house to house, but some tasks were common, such as washing dishes, sweeping floors, taking out the trash, and helping out with younger siblings. It made little difference whether a child wanted to ride bikes, visit a friend, or play ball with the neighbors. The rules were the same: work first, play later. If a child ran for the door, a call from the kitchen might remind him or her that something had been left behind. The message was unmistakable: work comes first, play comes later.

8. The House Stayed Quiet When Parents Were Resting

In many homes across the United States during the 1960s, there existed an unspoken understanding or rule that if one or more parents decided to take a nap or sleep, the house remained quiet. This meant that children would lower their own noise levels, refrain from running around the house, and take their games outside or slow down if they wanted to play quietly. This unspoken rule most often occurred on weekends or after one or more parents returned from work. Women who had spent their day running errands and doing chores might take a quick nap in the afternoon. Men who had spent their day working might take a quick nap prior to dinner.

9. Doors Were Knocked On Before Entering

In many 1960s homes, knocking on a closed door before opening it and walking through was not just good manners; it was one of those staple rules. Kids knew from a very early age that going into a room without first knocking on the door was not very polite. Whether the room was a bedroom, bathroom, or home office, there was always a knock first. This habit, among many others, helped instill good manners and respect for others’ space in children. A kid who walked into a room without first knocking on the door often had this habit corrected in no time. However, in many homes, this habit was a two-way street. Not only did kids have to knock on their parents’ doors, but adults also had to knock on their children’s doors.

10. Children Stayed Outside Until the Streetlights Came On

In many neighborhoods, the 1960s were a time when afternoons seemed to drag for kids who spent time outside. However, there was one standard that determined the end of the afternoon. It was time to go home when the streetlights came on. The streetlights, bathed in their glow, were a countdown for the kids. They zoomed by on their bikes, ran each other in games of tag, or threw baseballs across vacant lots as the last vestiges of the afternoon hung in the air. As night began to fall, the first hint of orange on a streetlight signaled that it was time to head back home. No alarm clocks, no phone calls, just the street itself signaling the end of the afternoon.

11. Children Did Not Interrupt Adult Conversations

In the 1960s, patience was an unspoken rule. Children were raised to wait for the adults to finish their conversation before adding their own. It was considered rude and disrespectful to interrupt others. When parents went to visit others, children would stay at a distance, quiet and attentive, until the adults finished their conversation. It was also considered important to let the parents have their conversation without interference. When children felt that what they wanted to say was of utmost importance, they could say “excuse me” to interrupt. However, this had to be done at the right time. When children spoke out of turn too soon, they were reminded to wait patiently.

12. Good Manners Were Required at the Table

Table manners were very important in many 1960s households. Parents wanted their kids to sit up, eat with their mouths closed, and not put their elbows on the table. These were basic rules that guided the behavior of the family at the dinner table. The kids were expected to pass food politely and wait for their turn to talk. If a child were to lean across the table without permission, they would be immediately corrected. These rules were still followed when the family had visitors at home. The parents wanted their kids to behave in the same manner when they had neighbors, relatives, or friends over. This was because many parents believed that your daily behavior determined your character. If a rule were broken, it was fixed in an instant.

13. Children Wrote Thank-You Notes for Gifts

In the 1960s, many parents ensured their children wrote thank-you notes after receiving their presents. This meant that birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions ended with a number of small cards and envelopes waiting on the kitchen table. However, before a child could indulge in their new toys or clothing, they would receive a reminder about writing thank-you notes from their parents. A child might sit at a table with some lined paper in front of them, and their parents might remind them about exactly what to say. A thank-you note would always begin with a polite greeting, some words of thanks, and finally a signature. This practice by parents was to ensure their children developed good manners.

14. Children Answered the Telephone Politely

In the 1960s, when a phone rang at home, it was not unusual for a kid to answer the phone. However, there were rules to be followed when talking to the other party. The way to start the conversation was not simply to say “hi” but to be polite instead. The kid had to say the family name and offer assistance to the caller. The simple action was significant as it reflected the etiquette of the 1960s. The landline was an important device at home, and the conversation was mostly with neighbors, family members, and business calls. The parents wanted the kids to be representatives of the family when talking to others. The process was not complicated, as errors were corrected immediately.

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