People In The 60s & 70s Had 6 Responsibilities Growing Up That Made Them Mentally Sharper Than Younger Generations
PHILIPIMAGE / ShutterstockIn many ways, intelligence is something that is developed by the environment a child grows up in rather than predetermined by their genetics.
This is especially true for people born with a naturally high IQ in their childhood and teen years, so the responsibilities kids take on when they are young are important to consider. In the 1960s and 70s, many kids were expected to be responsible for tasks that kids today don't have to think about. Because of this, these now middle-aged people tend to be mentally sharper than younger generations are.
In the 60s and 70s, kids had several responsibilities that made them mentally sharper than younger generations are now
1. Household chores
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According to a Harvard research study, kids who are expected to do chores at home end up happier and more successful. Yes, they may feel annoyed by them in the moment, but having something that keeps them disciplined and accountable teaches them more life lessons than many conversations ever will.
Think about the pride a young child feels when they teach themselves a new skill and get better at it over time, or the creativity and problem-solving skills these kids learned from figuring out how to be resourceful. Even having to babysit younger siblings at home taught them independence.
Kids today may earn an allowance for doing certain chores or household responsibilities, but the extent to which their parents contributed to their families and households without expecting anything in return makes them mentally sharper, well-rounded people today.
2. Managing their own free time
While chores and family obligations like making sure to be there for a shared dinner every evening were on most kids’ to-do list in the 60s and 70s, many had more free time than children today do. The latchkey generation had all kinds of unsupervised time to figure out how to fill on their own.
Even if it was time to play outside and mess around with neighborhood kids, not having an overbearing parent telling them what to do made these kids smarter and sharper. They assessed risks and practiced social skills while making new friends. They also learned how to appreciate their own company in ways that still benefit them to this day.
3. Advocating for themselves at school
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Kids who grew up in the 60s and 70s didn't get a ton of attention from their parents, so they often get caught up in trying to make their own kids feel comfortable at all times. They may have all the best intentions, but sometimes overstep boundaries and take autonomy from their kids in trying to essentially bubble wrap them. Despite it being understandable that they became overprotective parents out of love for their children, in the long run, this kind of involvement can undermine a child’s development.
When kids were expected to handle their own schoolwork and speak with teachers as their own advocates, it made them sharper over time. They now know how to advocate for themselves, as well as how to take accountability and solve problems without immediately looking for someone to speak on their behalf.
4. Figuring out problems on their own
Not all parents left their younger boomer and Gen X kids to completely fend for themselves. Despite all the generational stereotypes, family dynamics and parenting styles differed depending on the household.
However, there’s something to be said about the figure-it-out mentality many kids of that generation developed. They took more pride in being challenged than in convenience, which made them into resilient adults with a solid work ethic. These kids got comfortable early on with figuring out how to solve problems on their own.
5. Apologizing
If you made a mistake or hurt someone’s feelings in the 60s and 70s as a kid, you were going to apologize, especially to an authority figure or someone older than you. This was the era of kids taking direct accountability, not having their excuses and emotions coddled.
Yes, it was scary and frustrating for kids in the moment, but they’re mentally and emotionally sharper today because of it. They lead with empathy and consider what they say before saying it. They know how to own up to and learn from their mistakes, because there was no getting out of discipline.
6. Showing up for family dinners
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Prioritizing family was a non-negotiable for many kids in the 60s and 70s. Back then, nightly family dinners were the norm. While they didn’t necessarily feel like an obligation in the same way doing chores was, they were the last thing kids wanted to do, especially after an argument with a sibling or when you wanted to spend more time outside with friends.
Regular family dinners are associated with all kinds of psychological and emotional benefits, especially for kids. They strengthen family bonds and offer practice for social etiquette, as well as promote better self-esteem and well-being that makes them sharper early on in life.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor’s degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
