16 Things Our Parents Did That Would Be Illegal Today
These 16 once-common parenting habits from decades past would break multiple safety laws today.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Childhood in past generations looked very different. Rules were looser, safety standards were minimal, and “common sense” often replaced regulation. Many things parents did back then, from driving habits to home safety shortcuts, would be unthinkable under today’s laws. This list revisits those practices, showing just how much parenting and legality has changed over time.
1. Letting Kids Ride Without Seatbelts
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Before strict seatbelt laws, children often rode freely in cars, sometimes even standing up. Many parents didn’t think twice about safety restraints.
2. Smoking Around Children
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It wasn’t unusual for parents to light up in the car or at home with kids nearby. Now, many states ban smoking in vehicles with minors present due to secondhand smoke risks.
3. Leaving Kids Alone in the Car
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Running into the store “just for a minute” was a common practice. Now, it can lead to charges of child endangerment. Heatstroke and abduction concerns have made it illegal in many places.
4. Letting Kids Ride in Pickup Truck Beds
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Many children once enjoyed the thrill of sitting in the open back of a truck. Today, most states prohibit it due to the high risk of injury in accidents.
5. Giving Kids Beer or Wine at Family Gatherings
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In some households, letting kids sip alcohol was seen as harmless. Now, serving alcohol to minors, even your own, can lead to criminal charges.
6. Skipping Car Seats for Toddlers
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Decades ago, bulky car seats weren’t common, and toddlers often sat on laps. Modern regulations require age-appropriate restraints until certain height and weight limits are met.
7. Hitchhiking and Letting Kids Do It
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Both adults and teens once stuck their thumbs out for rides without much fear. Today, it’s considered highly unsafe and is even banned in some jurisdictions.
8. Letting Kids Wander the Neighborhood Unsupervised
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Parents used to tell kids to “be back by dark” with no idea where they went. In some areas today, letting young children roam unsupervised can result in police involvement.
9. Riding Bikes Without Helmets
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Helmets were rarely seen on kids in past decades. Now, many states require them by law for minors. The shift came after growing awareness of head injury risks.
10. Corporal Punishment in Schools
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Paddling and other physical discipline were once standard in classrooms. While still legal in a few states, it’s banned in the majority and widely frowned upon.
11. Letting Kids Play with Fireworks
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Many parents allowed kids to light firecrackers or sparklers unsupervised. Today, strict age restrictions and safety laws govern firework use.
12. Riding Without a Motorcycle Helmet
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Parents sometimes let their children ride on motorcycles without protective gear. Now, helmet laws for minors are enforced in nearly every state.
13. Using Lead-Based Toys and Paint
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Lead exposure wasn’t always a concern, and kids played with products now banned for safety reasons. Today, such materials are strictly regulated.
14. Allowing Kids to Drive on Back Roads
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In rural areas, parents sometimes let underage kids drive trucks or tractors. Now, this can lead to citations or even criminal charges.
15. Taking Kids Out of School for Weeks Without Approval
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Family vacations sometimes meant pulling kids from class with little notice. Today, unapproved absences can lead to truancy charges. Schools have far stricter attendance policies.
16. No Childproofing the House
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Sharp corners, unlocked cabinets, and exposed outlets were just part of life. Now, safety standards and product liability laws encourage or require childproofing.