"What's Considered 'Normal' in the Past Might Actually Be a No-Go? Smoking, Corporal Punishment, Laissez-Faire Parenting: A Discussion on 1960s Child-Rearing and Children's Brains"

Looking Back at 1960s Parenting, Once Considered "Normal," Through the Lens of Neuroscience

Wood-paneled station wagons, bicycles ridden without helmets, and cars filled with cigarette smoke.
These nostalgic images are often associated with childhood in America during the 1960s and 70s.

An article on MediaFeed published by AOL, titled "The '60s parenting practices we now know were terrible for kids' brains," examines these "free and wild" parenting practices of the past in light of recent scientific research, suggesting they were actually quite harsh on children's brains.AOL

Using this article as a guide, let's organize what was considered "normal" by parents in the 1960s from the perspectives of neuroscience, public health, and psychology, while also capturing the candid thoughts of the Boomer and Gen X generations currently emerging on social media.

1. What Was "Normal" Then Seems Quite Harsh Now

Articles and communities reflecting on 1960s parenting often feature familiar phrases.

• "Parents smoked at home and filled the car with smoke."

• "Children ran around the neighborhood and didn't return until dusk."

• "Sugary cereals and juices were common, and no one wore helmets."Country Living

Blogs reflecting on the culture of the time also list "Children were seen but not heard" and "If you cried, you'd be told 'Stop crying or I'll give you something to cry about'" as common experiences.The Expert Editor

Many adults proudly share on social media,

"Yet we survived and became tougher."

Indeed, some articles positively portray Gen X as resilient because they were raised under the strict parenting of Boomers.SJ O'Neill Consulting

However, recent research calmly points out that "surviving" and "being unaffected" are separate issues.

2. Smoking in Cars—Secondhand Smoke Inhaled by Little Brains

In the 1960s, smoking indoors and in cars was commonplace. The AOL article cites parents smoking in cars as a typical example and introduces subsequent research.AOL

Current studies report that secondhand smoke in cars, even with windows open, results in concentrations several times higher than in smoke-free homes. Children's lungs are smaller and their breathing rate is higher, leading to greater absorption per body weight compared to adults.no-smoke.org

Harmful substances in cigarette smoke, particularly nicotine, carbon monoxide, and fine particles, are linked to children's brain development. Multiple studies indicate that children exposed to secondhand smoke may experience a decline in vocabulary and reasoning abilities, as well as an increased tendency for attention deficit and hyperactivity.PMC

Of course, parents at the time did not intentionally expose their children to smoke thinking it was harmful to the brain. Smoking was "normal for adults," and knowledge of health risks was not as widespread as it is now. Still, looking back with today's scientific advancements, it's undeniable that children were placed in quite harsh environments without their knowledge.

3. Corporal Punishment—The Lasting Impact on the Brain

Corporal punishment is an unavoidable topic when discussing 1960s parenting. Slapping, spanking, and light hitting with belts or objects were all justified as "tough love."

However, research over the past two decades has begun to paint a clearer picture of the impact of corporal punishment on children's brains and minds.

• A Harvard University study reported that children who experienced corporal punishment showed heightened brain responses to threats, similar to patterns seen in abuse.gse.harvard.edu

• A 2025 WHO report summarizes that corporal punishment is linked to developmental delays, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and long-term behavioral issues.World Health Organization

• Large longitudinal studies have repeatedly confirmed the association between corporal punishment and delayed cognitive development and poor academic performance.PMC

Of course, not all children suffer the same damage. Some may have felt sufficient love and security in other situations despite being hit. Nonetheless, statistically, evidence has accumulated to the point where it's undeniable that "not being hit increases the likelihood of healthier development."

4. "Children Should Be Seen and Not Heard"—The Impact of Authoritarian Parenting

Articles reflecting on "strict parents" of the 60s and 70s list rules like these.The Expert Editor

• Children should be "seen" and not speak up

• Never defy adult authority

• Do not show emotions, especially boys should not cry

• Discipline should be swift, often involving corporal punishment

• Being a "good child" was treated as a condition for being loved

In psychology, this style is called "authoritarian" parenting. Recent reviews suggest that children raised by authoritarian parents are more prone to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, repressed emotions, and behavioral issues.National Center for Biotechnology Information

In contrast, an "authoritative" style, which sets clear rules and expectations while respecting children's feelings and engaging in dialogue, is strongly associated with improved academic performance and higher life satisfaction, as confirmed by multinational studies.ScienceDirect

Many parents of the 60s believed that "being strict was foolproof." This was often because they themselves were raised by even stricter parents. However, what we can do now is not to deny their good intentions but to understand "what happened to children's brains and minds as a result" and apply this understanding to the next generation of parenting.

5. No Helmets, No Seatbelts, and Environmental Toxins

Another unforgettable aspect when discussing childhood in the 60s is the significant difference in "safety awareness."

• Lying down in the back seat of a car without a seatbelt

• Riding in the bed of a pickup truck

• Bicycles and skateboards were ridden without helmets

• Playground equipment was on concrete, and much higher than today

Such environments increased the risk of head injuries and accidents. Medically, severe head injuries in childhood can affect cognitive function and mental health risks later in life, but this was not recognized in the 60s.

Even more serious is the issue of environmental toxins, particularly "lead."

• The CDC and WHO state that there is "no safe level" of lead exposure, warning that even small amounts can lead to developmental delays, behavioral problems, and reduced IQ in children.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• A longitudinal study in New Zealand found that individuals with high blood lead levels in childhood tended to have lower IQs, educational attainment, and occupational status in adulthood.Journal of the American Medical Association

• Research estimates that the majority of Americans who spent their childhood in the 1950s to 80s had blood lead levels considered "too high" by today's standards, with the resulting loss of IQ points amounting to billions nationwide.PMC

At the time, lead was used everywhere, from gasoline to paint to water pipes. This was more a societal responsibility than a "parenting" issue, but it means that children's brains in the 60s were subjected to levels of environmental stress unimaginable today.

6. Boomers' Candid Thoughts Erupting on Social Media

When these topics appear in the media, social media quickly becomes a battleground of mixed opinions. Following posts reacting to the AOL article reveals several patterns.

① "That's Why We Became Strong" Group

On Facebook groups and blogs,

• "We played outside after school, which fostered independence and resilience."

• "Boomers are tough because they overcame corporal punishment and strict schooling."

Such voices are prominent.Baby Boomer Bliss

There is also strong resistance to labeling everything from the past as "abuse," with arguments that "secondhand smoke and lack of seatbelts were dangerous by today's standards, but they were normal back then."

② "We Were Actually Hurt" Group

On the other hand, there are many posts confessing, "I'm still suffering from the 'tough parenting' of Boomers."