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Childhood in 1950s England
By Carol Fisher
Here in the UK, it seems that children have never been more pampered and protected. Of course, most parents have always wanted to protect their children but, in the past, kids were allowed to go out alone and learn about the world. I was born at the end of 1948 in post-war England. Rationing was still in force even though the Second World War had ended three years earlier. Life was dull and difficult for adults then. Even as young children, about five years old, we were allowed to go out and play with our friends as long as our parents knew where we were and we stayed closeby. By the time I was eleven, my younger brother and I were sent out to play with our friends. "Go out and get some fresh air," my mother would say. During school vacations, she would give us a packet of sandwiches (home made of course) and a bottle of orange squash for our lunch, then we would disappear for the day to play with our friends who had similar provisions. We had to be back by a certain stipulated time and we would be in deep, deep trouble if were even a few minutes late. At Christmas and birthdays, we were given one main present each from our parents but it would never be as comparatively expensive as the gifts some children receive today. We would have a Christmas stocking each and it would contain some nuts, a tangerine, some little cheap puzzles, and other very small things. It was the thought that counted, something we were told constantly. Here in the UK, it seems the majority of children are driven to school by their parents. My brother and I had to walk to school even though it took about 30 minutes. After the age of about nine, we walked on our own, just like all our friends. We knew how to cross a road, we were warned never to talk to strangers. We also knew our full names, our parents' names and our address. Our parents told us if ever we needed help to ask a policeman. In those days, policemen still patrolled the streets on foot. We learned how to cope with the outside world and the skills we needed. Don't think we were alone and scared. We were usually with friends and we were confident. Things are so much better for a lot of children now but maybe they have lost something too. I'm so pleased that I had some freedom to learn and wasn't driven from one organised activity after another as many children are today. |
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Growing up in a small community in the United States, we also were given a lot of freedom. We had to be within "yelling distance" when we were younger. We played outside, mostly in the street. We were always on the lookout to yell "CAR!" so all the kids had time to get out of the street and into someone's yard.
Last year, I recall a news story about a woman who had picked her daughters up from school and was headed back home. They were continuously yelling and feeding off of each other and she was continuously telling them to stop. She then told them that if they did not stop NOW, they were going to walk the rest of the way home. They crossed the boundary. She made them get out and walk home. Then she got in trouble with the state. A WHOLE MILE????!!! What a horrible woman -- making a 12 and 10 year old walk a mile! (sarcasm, of course) I was amazed at how many comments were made saying what a horrible woman she was -- I suspect the comments were mostly made by those in their early twenties and younger. Safety is important and maybe there is an argument in the 10 year old walking home alone, but she wasn't alone (I walked two miles to school and back when I was 10 -- not barefoot and there was only one slight incline.. ;) ). Playing outside, getting exercise, walking a mile or two... that was experience. I never thought of it as character building, but in a way, it really was -- and now, parents who truly want their kids to experience those character-building moments are working AGAINST the status quo.
The exercise was a big help in avoiding the obesity there is today.
Yeah, I think you're right about too much structure and that we have somehow lost something along the way... Buy you know -- this is what everybody does now (seemingly).
A well written intel on a great subject,Carol. We were expected to be more responsible when we were children in the 1940's. At 11, 10 and 8, we three children got off the school bus and entered our home. Nobody else was there, so we started the wood fire in the kitchen stove, went to the outsite well for water, and then prepared dinner for our parents when they got home from work at 6 o'clock.
Thank you for bringing back the memories.
Best to you.
Frederick
Well written. I enjoyed reading your intel, thanks.
I like the poems on your website. I miss the 1950's too.
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This intel was contributed by stazjia
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