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Kids in the '70s and '80s had a different experience when growing up. No wonder your auntie Betsie never misses a chance to tell the same old story of her 10-year-old self walking 5 km to school in freezing winter. “These days kids, they don’t know!” she mumbles.

But she must be right. This illuminating thread shared by Dan Wuori, the senior director of early learning at The Hunt Institute, shed light on what kids in the past experienced in their daily lives and most of it is simply hard to imagine.

“My high school had a smoking area. For the kids,” Wuori tweeted before asking everyone to share “What’s something you experienced as a kid that would blow your children’s minds?” Below we selected some of the most interesting posts that reveal just how much times have changed.

Image credits: DanWuori

#1

Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

kotstot1 Report

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    #2

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    CourtneyAnnePh Report

    Juan Ghote
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trawling through the library index first to find the right encyclopedia / reference publication then building your footnotes / bibliography to support your submission. Roughly 30 minutes for per reference...

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    Childhood memories are something most of us cherish throughout our lives. Prof. Krystine Batcho, a scholar in science of nostalgia and licensed psychologist, has developed a tool to measure our emotions towards the past using the Nostalgia Inventory Test. The tool shows how strongly and how often people feel nostalgic.

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    In a previous in-depth interview with Prof. Batcho, Bored Panda asked the professor about the role our childhood memories play in our lives. According to the professor, childhood memories can influence our adult lives in a number of ways. “They can contribute to our overall sense of happiness in life.”

    #4

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    coach_mark1 Report

    Ellen Ranks
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We made those for our dads, for mom we made potholders.

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    #5

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    Ipiphiniz1 Report

    Karin Gibson
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember when there was only BBC and ITV

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    #6

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    MiraCeleste2 Report

    Robert T
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This was "normal" in the UK in the 80s and 90s. Uniform was a skirt for the girls. In winter they simply wore woolly tights, which was also part of the uniform and had to be a certain colour. Boys wore trousers and it was only if it was really hot we could wear shorts and very occasionally it would be declared a "no tie" day.

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    Moreover, Batcho argues that social experiences we had when little are crucial to our development and adult lives. “Positive childhood social events, such as family get-togethers during the holidays or parties to celebrate birthdays or achievements, help establish good self-esteem and healthy social skills in adulthood,” she told us.

    Prof. Batcho’s life-long research suggested that “positive childhood memories are associated with more adaptive coping skills in adulthood.” For example, people with happier memories of childhood were less likely to turn to counterproductive ways of dealing with stressful situations, such as substance abuse or escapist behavior.

    #7

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    StacyKratochvil Report

    Robert T
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You think that's bad. When I was a university, I didn't have a phone and used the public call boxes at the end of the street. Doesn't sound too bad until I say that I lived in the red light district and got propositioned whilst on the phone to my mother! LOL

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    #8

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    RealGravitas Report

    Holly Freeman
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The amount of times I would burn my hands on the monkey bars from the hot Aussie sun 😤 the blisters! But my god was it fun!!!

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    #9

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    athenakitty1 Report

    Karin Gibson
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My English teacher could have thrown a board rubber for the olympics

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    That means that healthy coping is not something we’re born with, but rather “it is learned during childhood by role modeling trusted adults, and memories of how respected adults coped with adversity,” the professor explained.

    If you deeply cherish your childhood memories and carry them throughout your life, you’re not the only one, Batcho argues. The professor explained that this phenomenon is called “rosy retrospection,” and it refers to a tendency to remember the past as better than it really was.

    #10

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    crunchyrugger Report

    Robert T
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ha. There was one bus stop in the entire village. Apart from the one and only school bus, the remainder of the bus service flipped between one an hour to two busses a week! I walked to primary school, including on my own from about aged 7 or 8, and cycled to secondary school which was 3 miles away in the nearest town. This is probably why I have such little patience with the Chelsea tractors (SUVs) doing the "school run".

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    #11

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    pecriel Report

    Kbk
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Smoking “sections” on airplanes!!

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    #12

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    HughThunkIt Report

    Flash Henry
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Exploring outside for hours on end was the best.

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    “There might be an evolutionary reason for it, because a favorable focus on the past helps most people remain healthy and happy despite the practical and emotional challenges of adult life,” prof. Batcho explained. Having said that, it’s also important to note that memory retrieval and the way we feel about them is directly influenced by a person’s current mood and state of mind. It turns out that when we are sad or depressed, we are more likely to remember negative events in our past and remember past experiences less favorably.

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    #13

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    long17_de Report

    Grady'sRaider
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The one I remember was mostly a toy: molded plastic seat, one inch plastic strap with a buckle, and a plastic steering wheel with a squeeky horn button.

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    #14

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    KevinGi62453362 Report

    Robert T
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That was a student prank. Our chemistry teacher had some mercury in a beaker and we stuck our hands in it. Not sure that touching it is a big deal, but you don't want to ingest it.

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    #16

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    HelloKameHaHaHa Report

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    #17

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    Seymour_from_GP Report

    Ash
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    AND you could pick up the phone and listen in on their conversations!

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    #18

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    MelissaV007 Report

    Katy McMouse
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably because they were hunting rifles, used for hunting and not assault rifles, used for God knows what.

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    #20

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    jamesadewberry Report

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    #21

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    JulieMcCrossin Report

    Katy McMouse
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow! Look at the leg room.

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    #22

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    MegNumbers Report

    #23

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    DarciaAnne Report

    Nathaniel
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is one of these near my sisters, in a park, it is 3 feet wide. Spin on that fast and you will vomit and feel ill for the rest of the day.

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    #24

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    HoldenCapt Report

    Pat Head
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fortunately, the jet injectors do no use a needle, but instead use a high pressure spray that penetrates the top layers of skin to deliver the vaccine. They used to be used for mass vaccinations, but now only a fraction of people in the States use it for insulin.

    Rowan
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why don’t they still use this? I hate needles, does this hurt more or less orrrr?

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    WoodenLion
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    there is no needle in that machine. uses air pressure.

    D Maisenh
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It doesn't have a needle it is a pressure syringe. Literally blows the vaccine under the skin.

    Grady'sRaider
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Our polio vaccines were given at mass injection sessions at the local armory. In those times, syringes were glass and needles were large bore, sometimes in need of sharpening. The place smelled of alcohol and fear. Someone always cried.

    Carito alias La Cototina
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My polio vaccine was given in a cube of sugar that we had to eat.

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    Eva Ribes
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    oh! I used something similar on a factory farm- in a group of 6 we could vaccinate 20,000 + birds daily

    Kaisa Koo
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Finland 1985: polio vaccine -sugarcubes. Oh yes.

    Mamma Tiger
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember these. Air injection gun.

    Scott Crowell
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Grade School, by class in the auditorium/gym.

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    Karen Grace
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They lined us kids up in the basement of a department store and gave us the smallpox and polio vaccines production line style. Those polio guns left an interesting mark that stayed on your arm for years afterward.

    Bear
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And that's how we got rid of small pox forever

    Kayla Albert
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that what left a huge scar like a brand in the shoulder? My mom and dad have them they are circle like an inch wide!

    TexasPK
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Smallpox vaccine. I am 69 and still have the circular scar.

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    Ana Ferreira
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only time, I remember being vaccinated at school was when I entered 7th grade and got my rubeola shot.

    Amy Taylor
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I still have my vax scar from school,lol

    Al Padilla
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, the injection was with high-speed jet of the vaccine or other medication. The percentage getting into the patient (otherwise it was a "wet shot" could vary. So ok for vaccinations, where the dose is less critical (same for big & little people, etc.) as opposed to insulin where an incomplete dose would be dangerous.

    Al Padilla
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The "Jet Injectors" were notoriously inaccurate for doses like insulin and were discontinued. For vaccines, the dose administration can be less precise and still do what you need. But depending on technique, you could lose 25% of the dose on the outside of the skin (called a "wet shot").

    Origami Chik3n
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is how we got vaccinated back in 80s. From what i've read, it is no longer used, because it is very difficult to clean between uses so it simply wasn't being done. And the high speed jet also causes some of the blood getting on and into the device. Which then proceeded to inject next patient with a mix of vaccine and blood of who knows how many people.

    elcee
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    lice checks. at our desks. SCOLIOSIS checks. in front of the whole locker room. good times, GOOD TIMES

    elcee
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    and I remember when they came to fingerprint us, when that whole thing started

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    Susan Thomas
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No needle. Thankfully, since there would have been massive infection rates. Shot with air pressure.

    Marlin Tatom
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They also used these in Basic Training in the late 80s. Still have a scar from one.

    Cyndi Moring
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    look at the kids' eyes! Riveted!

    BroknBtBlesd
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah buddy! No such thing as anti-vaccers in those days. Except in religious cases.

    P R
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The jet injectors did NOT use a needle that penetrated the skin. It used a high-pressure "jet" of liquid/spray to force medicine through the top layers of skin.

    Joyce C
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Still have the scar from it

    Asi Bassey
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh my, I clearly remember receiving this in school when I was in Primary 2 (1989). I was so scared, the instrument looked scary. 😃

    Debbie Pugsley
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember this. Is this the one we all have a scar on our shoulder for?

    Lycosa
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't see those until induction into the military and bootcamp in the late 60's. We were told not to move durring injection as it would cut your skin like a knife.

    John Braines
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They stopped using them because they spread hepatitis. The blast of air penetrated the skin and tissue and plasma was ejected to contaminate the gun which was not cleansed between patients. It also gave a variable amount of vaccine to the patient.

    Christopher Kilmer
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They were still using these in the military in the mid to late 90's. I got some vaccines this way in Basic Training... Assembly line fashion.

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    Bad Alchemy
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh yeah. They did this in the 60's, too: polio, measles, the whole 9 yards. It's one of the reasons why all Baby Boomers are encouraged to get tested for Hep C and Hep B. That whole needle sharing thing went on for decades.

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    #25

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    3rdtimewalter Report

    Emerald Ocean
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well at least the nurse tried to calm her down, though a newborn should not be near smoking!

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    #26

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    Smilan317 Report

    Grady'sRaider
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Buying smokes for my grandpa. 43 cents a pack! Now almost $20 here.

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    #28

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    jan_ruscoe Report

    Karin Gibson
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had Nitty Nora the head explorer. You were treated then and there. The shame of going back to class was dreadful.

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    #29

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    Elisabethmngirl Report

    Marie
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm also from Raleigh. My second grade teacher's wooden paddle was made by her husband and he'd even done fancy burn in lettering to put her name on it. Good times

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    #30

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    m00n_child_227 Report

    Ed
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That would have been quite a trick in the 70s and 80s, since Netflix wasn't even founded until mid-1997.

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    #31

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    KristieMft Report

    Hugh Wellford
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had a new girl freaking out when she transferred to our school because all the girls wore smocked tops with flowing sleeves and bell-bottom jeans and at her previous school only pregnant girls wore smocked tops.

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    #32

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    whiskeyandmagic Report

    James016
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Parents: "Where you going?" Me: "Out." Parents: "Dinner is at 7 be back by then"

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    #33

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    Lundworks_C Report

    Grady'sRaider
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Didn't have tape. Had 45's, a small record with one song on each side. They cost a dollar, which was minimum hourly wage.

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    #34

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    CaraMillsATL Report

    Catherine Binder
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can still picture those aluminum fastfood ashtrays. I used to love folding them.

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    #35

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    Francp Report

    Robert T
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think you may be missing the word "drill" or "alert".

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    #36

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    MaritMeya Report

    Nathaniel
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In primary school it was Watership Down. It always used to make me cry, and I had to hide that from a classroom full of children.

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    #38

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    PacificGirl2021 Report

    #39

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    a1magfly Report

    AliJanx
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Public Middle school - girls had to shower after gym class, then wrap a towel around our torsos so the female gym teacher could "check our hips" for dampness to make sure we showered. Looking back on it, I'm stunned that was allowed, even then!

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    #40

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    Speshell_K Report

    Pink Panther
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It sounds like the teacher just wanted to do that

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    #41

    Mindblowing-Childhood-Experiences

    RobEdward1122 Report

    Tami
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who didn't want to date at least one of their teachers at some point in their school years?

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