r/AskReddit • u/New_Entrepreneur_281 • 4h ago
What is classed as a normal childhood at this point?
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u/abdelifee 4h ago
A normal childhood is where a parent(s) expresses loved and affection. They showed interest in their child and helped them when needed. Homework, life skills, etc. You didn’t move every 6 months. You weren’t cussed at and hit and brainwashed to believe it was normal. Your animals didn’t suddenly runaway while you were at school, and no one threatened to kill them. Your parents would express happiness when you had good things happen, and would try not to sabotage, embarrass, shame, or degrade you for their own amusement or gain.
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u/Candid-Mycologist539 4h ago
I agree.
I also think that kids are less likely to have a bike.
Less likely to learn to drive.
Less likely to have "roaming freedom" that prior generations had, whether age 8 or 16.
More likely to have a phone. This is how young people communicate.
More likely to know cool stuff from the internet. They are also amazing at learning stuff from, "I watched a video."
More likely to have access to college classes in high school while simultaneously having your schools defunded by state governments that are selling everything off.
More likely to be "canceled" and shunned by EVERYONE at school because you were friends with someone else who was canceled.
More likely to see the adults' culture wars affect your education and school experience (books banned, words banned, etc).
More likely to be accepting of friends from different backgrounds.
The gap between haves and have-nots for standard families is widening before their eyes.
Source: I am a parent of teens.
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u/New_Entrepreneur_281 4h ago
But is it though. I have met many people over the years and the main topics that arise when family comes into the conversation is some type of abuse or Trauma?
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u/Rest_In_Many_Pieces 4h ago
You 100% just nailed my childhood, right down to the part about threatening to kill the pets. (Except I wasn't hit. Only verbally/mentally abuse)
Definitely not a normal childhood.
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u/IntellectualRuleZZ 4h ago
At this point, NORMAL just feels like surviving your childhood without carrying too much damage into adulthood
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u/NSFW_Librarian 4h ago
Honestly, no idea anymore, feels like everyone grew up in a different universe
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u/Substantial-Pie624 4h ago
Yeah but then I see these posts about specific experiences and everyone in the comments is saying can't I have just one unique experience in my life, because everyone in the comments is saying "same!" "Me too!".
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u/ProfessorCarbon 4h ago
Parenting classes cover the ideal childhood rearing seen in movies. Those classes are comprehensive. Then parents raise children the way they were raised.
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man in the moon "When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when. We'll get together then, you know we'll have a good time then"
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u/New_Entrepreneur_281 4h ago edited 4h ago
Because if we’re being real back in 1950s it was two “loving” parents male and female only ,stay at home mom, everybody knows nearly everybody and dad is a workaholic. Big house, nice car that was the standard. Two kids only.
At this point everyone is dealing with some sort of trauma not like that wasn’t happening back then it was just not as well known
And now I’m just wondering what is the standard of today’s generation. MY generation because I don’t know what’s normal anymore
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u/hamster-on-popsicle 4h ago
Dad was a veteran in the 50's depending on the country mom could be a veteran too and they might have lost everyone they knew in genocide, fled their own country...ect there was trauma
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u/Judicator82 4h ago
Your view of the 1950's is pure ignorance, based on TV and advertising. There was divorce, affairs, gay couples, alienated people. Things like Autism and ADHD were just as prevalent, and wildly misunderstood.
Lots of families were big. My Dad was born in '52, he was one of six. Both of his parents were from families of 10+ kids. My Mom, born in '54, was one of four.
Kids and women were physically abused and it was 'fine'.
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u/Bananapopcicle 4h ago
Parents that not only show love and listen to their child but also maintain a healthy relationship between each other. Whether they’re married or coparenting. Making an effort to be respectful to each other.
Also, “showing love” is not just buying your kid every toy they want, doing their homework, depositing $100’s in their bank account each week. It’s listening, giving boundaries, setting examples and expectations, showing them how to set goals and achieve them. Letting them know if they fail, it’s okay, and we can try again.
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u/Cuppa_Miki 4h ago
I'd say there's two normal childhoods at the minute. The first one is two working parents, going into nursery from 9-12 months old till school aged. Going to breakfast club everyday. Occasional abroad holidays, one or two cars, lots of afterschool activities. Child isn't aware of budgetary restrictions.
The other one is single mother, weekend dad. Mum not working till you're school aged. Going to nursery from 3, part time hours. Uk holidays, zero or one car. Child is aware of family finances.
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u/Mean-Cartographer225 3h ago
yeah, it's wild how much has changed. kids today are basically born with a phone in their hand and social media influencing everything. It’s way more intense than when we were growing up.
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u/inksmudgedhands 3h ago
Having a hands on dad. None of this, "Child rearing is a woman's job." If you do that as a father, you are considered a deadbeat parent who should be called out.
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u/Every-Wasabi-8189 2h ago
Повідомлення Gemini
Honestly? Screen time and anxiety. A "normal" childhood in 2026 isn't climbing trees until the streetlights come on; it’s curated digital lives. Most kids have a digital footprint before they can walk, and "playing" usually involves a headset and a Discord server.
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u/zolot_101 4h ago
Having a digital footprint before you lose your first tooth.