21 Old School Parenting Photos That Would Probably Get Parents Arrested Today

Parents are notorious for saying things like, “well, back in my day we did things differently” or “kids these days are too sensitive.” While there is some validity to these points, there are also several things that have changed over the years, and with good reason. Installing child seatbelts in cars for instance, or warning pregnant women against smoking.

Regardless, it can be eye-opening to look back on how drastically different parenting used to be for older generations. Just check out these old school parenting photos and you’ll see exactly what we mean. 

1. “Back in the day. 1950s to be exact. Check out that car seat.”

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2. “My mother-in-law riding a bear at 2 years old.”

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3. “My dad showing off his parenting skills 1985.”

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4. “Me back in 1991 just your typical Aussie kid drinking XXXXlight beer and holding a baby crocodile!”

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5. “California marijuana initiative rally 1972. That’s me in the box and my parents in the picture.”

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6. “Me, 1958, relaxing after my bath with Toby, I was never again this cool.”

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7. The ultimate BMX mom.

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8. “Car seat safety in 1958. Not strapped into anything, these seats relied on the mother to put her arm out and stop the baby from falling forward.”

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9. “Harley with a baby seat, 1962.”

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10. “My mother and grandmother demonstrating safety standards in the 1960s.”

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11. “13 y/o Dad having a taste while the grownups are busy playing cards; upstate New York, August 1954.”

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12. “Just a photo of yours truly (at 11 yrs.) petting a full grown tiger. My mom calls it her ‘Bad Parenting Moment.'”

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13. “A couple ice skating with their baby, 1937.”

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14. “My adorable (4-year-old) mother at a zoo in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 1970.”

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15. “A photo of me dressed up as my Dad, with my Dad (1982).”

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