Being a Teenager in 1968

2. Being a Teenager in 1968 • Life in 1968 was a lot better to me. Everything wasn’t has crazy has it is today. Life was simpler then; there were no computers, cell phones, text messages, etc. They communicated the old fashioned way - by talking on the telephone and in person. School was also simpler; they stuck to the basics, but also had extra curricular activities (Beta Club, Science Club, school football, etc.). And, while there were drugs, they weren't as much of a problem as they are today. For recreation they went to movies, skating rinks, bowling, sports, dancing, music, and reading. They watched television in the evenings together, instead of everyone having their own TV in their bedroom and watching by themselves. And there wasn't as much violence in television, either. There weren't as many working moms, so there were more mothers at home when children got home from school. Takeout dinners were the exception, not the norm, and families ate dinner together. There was no rap music, and music didn't have the violence in it that much of today's rap and heavy metal music does. But the 1960's was when rock music became the rage, which many parents disapproved of. The crime rate was lower, so kids were allowed to stay out long after dark. It was not uncommon for kids to walk several blocks after dark to a friend's house because it was safer then. It was even necessary at times, because there were relatively few teens who had their own cars then. And there were fewer gangs, so that made it safer, too. Although there were gangs, drive-by shootings were not as common as they are now.It was a good time to grow up, and it's a shame today's teens can't have a taste of what life was like in those days