The good old days of risks and consequences

THE EDITOR: Looking at what is happening today with the growing up of children, we who were born in the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, or even the early 70’s, probably should not have survived.

You see, we shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, and no one actually got sick. We had no childproof lids or locks on medicine bottles, doors, or cabinets, and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets. Not to mention the risks we took hitchhiking, climbing trees and bathing in the river. As children, we were happy to ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a pickup truck was always a special treat. We ate buns, sugar cakes, drops, bread and butter and sweet drink, (now called soft drink) but we were never overweight because we were always outside playing.

We would spend hours building our go-cart out of scraps and then rode down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem. We would leave home to spend the day at friends and made sure we reached home before sunset or dark. No one was able to reach us all day. No cell phones. Unthinkable! We did not have Play Stations, Nintendo 64, X-Boxes, no video games at all, no 59 channels on cable, video tape movies, surround sound, personal cell phones, personal computers or Internet chat rooms. We had friends! We went outside and found them. We fell out of trees, in the neighbour’s yard, got cut and broke bones and teeth, and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. They were accidents. No one was to blame but us. Remember accidents?

We had fights, and even punched each other, called each other names, got vex with one another and yet were able to get over it. Why? Because of the attitude and behaviour of our parents. We made up games with anything we could put our hands on (innovation), and it was fun. Some students weren’t as smart as others, so they failed to pass the promotion exam and were held back to repeat the same class or form. Our actions were our own. Consequences were expected. The idea of parents bailing us out if we got in trouble in school or broke a law was unheard of, since they actually sided with the school or the law. Imagine that! This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers, educators, doctors and entrepreneurs. Now you know why!

COLVIN BLAIZE
Chaguanas