All of these great anecdotes represent an easier time to raise kids. In defense of parents today, let me enlighten the thread to a few facts:
Playdates were invented to keep kids from knocking on the door at perhaps the wrong time. Mommy and Daddy having an argument/fight. Visitor goes home to tell his nosey mommy who then calls the cops.
Any and all gun, firecracker, wrist rocket, etc. accident are reported to the police. In most cases this constitutes neglect of some sort. If you manage to get an Officer with half a brain, you’re lucky.
Any bicycle or trampoline injury incurred without proper safety equipment is generally NOT covered by insurance companies.
Children seen walking alone under age 12 will usually garner the attention of (again) nosey neighbors who in an effort to feel like a superior parent, will call the authorities.
Locking children outside in the summer heat with only a water hose (as I hated, but survived and employ) would get the LEOs out to your house. See aforementioned “nosey neighbor”.
Your Metal lunch boxes? Weapons. Not allowed on school grounds. As are belt buckles, ball caps, and the ever dangerous “hand gun” (thumb and forefinger.)
I could go on, but I think the point is made. It was an ironically safer and more peaceful time to raise children. When we are allowed to raise kids as kids, trust me, we will.
Fwiw, I live way out in the country and homeschool so am afforded the luxury of ignoring most the above BS. . .sometimes. Over regulated is an understatement.
I don’t really think that most of us are blaming today’s parents (although some do seem rather uptight and nervous). I think we are blaming the lawyers and educators who have turned this society into a jail for children and grownups.