....

KIDS THEN-came come when the street lights came on

KIDS NOW-come home when they get a text message from their mom on their RAZR

now- doing chores around the house is unheard of.

then-doing chores around the house was the only way you were going to get to do anything and have some spending money

then-playing outside till it was dark and hearing mom screaming out hey guys its time to come home

now-kids are in the house all the time so mom knows where they are no need to scream

now-kids are drove everywhere now they have to have transportation for all things

then- kids walked mainly everywhere or rode their bikes to their destinations

then-if you got hurt playing outside you shook it off and didnt tell mom telling your mother was the kiss of death even if u were in pain

now-ifyou get hurt outside you run into mommy screaming and crying you got hurt by so and so

I read this on Ebaumsworld.com:

50 Years See what 50 years will do:


Scenario: Jack pulls into school parking lot with rifle in gun rack.

1956 - Vice Principal comes over, takes a look at Jack's rifle, goes to his car and gets his to show Jack.

2006 - School goes into lockdown, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.

1956 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up best friends. Nobody goes to jail, nobody arrested, nobody expelled.

2006 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Jason won't be still in class, disrupts other students.

1956 - Jason sent to office and given a good paddling by Principal. Sits still in class.

2006 - Jason given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. School gets extra money from state because Jason has a disability.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his father's car and his Dad gives him a whipping.

1956 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.

2006 - Billy's Dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. Billy's sister is told by state psychologist that she remembers being abused herself and their Dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some headache medicine to school.

1956 - Mark shares headache medicine with Principal out on the smoking dock.

2006 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.

1956 : Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.

2006 : Pedro's cause is taken up by state democratic party. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he can't speak English.

+++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed

1956 - Ants die.

2006 - BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

+++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary, hugs him to comfort him.

1956 - In a short time Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2006 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison.

I was just thinking that Kipp  how true that is

jules your addition is so right on! I'm not a Mom, yet, but when I do watch friends or cousins, that is the only way I can get them home!

THEN: Black kids bussed to separate, inferior school.
NOW: Black kids share better schools with white kids.

THEN: Black boy killed by white men for whistling at a white woman.
NOW: Black boy whistles at white woman. Nothing else happens.

THEN: Father beats son black-and-blue; child is not protected by law enforcement or child welfare people.
NOW: Father beats son black-and-blue; abusive father is arrested and tossed into jail where he belongs.

THEN: Child is kidnapped, taken across state lines, raped and killed.
NOW: Child is kidnapped, taken across state lines, and, thanks to an Amber alert and an alert citizen, is rescued by police and restored to family.

THEN: Autistic kids shunted off into institutions and denied a basic education.
NOW: Autistic kids provided with an appropriate education.

Well Kipp...Im not so sure kids back then didnt sneak out sometimes (I know we did, hell, I even snuck a bf in a few times) LOL. Not so much for drugs though...but for parties, sure =)

Then: Kids played Baseball in the old lot.

Now: Kids play Baseball on PlayStation 3.

Chunkyguy, one of the differences I see in kids these days is that the ones in my neighborhood are not being bussed to a segregated school NOW; that was not the case THEN. Another difference is that my son, who has an autistic spectrum disorder, is entitled to an appropriate education NOW; that was not the case THEN.

You wanted to know the differences; these are two I have some experience with.

YMMV. I'm sorry if you don't like the differences I see, but I am, frankly, grateful for them.

THEN - Kids were severely limited by their background and/or financial situation.

NOW - It is *slightly and increasingly* easier for kids to break out of the trend and be what they want to be, regardless of limitations of race, background, sex, etc.

I agree with athena_traveler. Not all change is bad.

THEN - Kids couldn't read Huck Finn. It was banned, because it had a Negro in it
NOW - They do.

Then - Kids had bomb drills and learned to duck under their seat in case The Bomb dropped
Now - The only disaster kids train for is Fire Drills