13 Ways School Was Different in the ’80s

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Reflecting on my childhood school days, it’s hard not to notice how vastly different things were back in the ’80s compared to today. I started kindergarten in the late ’70s, and let me tell you, it was a whole different world. We had naps, for crying out loud! Here are 13 unique aspects of education from that era that make today’s schooling seem almost futuristic.

1. Nap Time: Kindergarten was a half-day affair, which meant afternoon cartoons for latchkey kids. And yes, we still had nap time! Teachers wisely recognized that keeping 20 kids focused for four hours straight was unrealistic. So, we lay on mats in dim classrooms, trying our best not to move.
2. Latchkey Kids: Walking to and from school alone was the norm. We’d proudly wear our house keys around our necks, grab some Twinkies, and plop in front of the TV. Homework? Nah, that was for later—if it even existed!
3. Homework: Speaking of assignments, they were minimal. One page was the standard, maybe two on a heavy day. If math and writing collided, tears were totally acceptable.
4. Hair Care: The bathroom was often a gathering place for girls armed with hair picks and cans of Aquanet spray. Bigger hair was better, and cordless curling irons made their rounds. Safety? Not a concern—if you burned yourself, that was just part of the experience.
5. Physical Education: PE was a whole different game. We had dodgeballs flying at us, and no one flinched when someone got hit in the face. Remember Red Rover? That was all about survival of the fittest!
6. Team Sports: When it came to team games, being picked last was a rite of passage. The “captains” would choose their teams, and let’s just say I never made a strong showing.
7. Hot Lunches: Lunch was an actual meal, prepared in a kitchen by a lunch lady named Betty. There were no pre-packaged options; it was home-cooked food, and dessert was a common treat!
8. Cold Lunches: If you were lucky, you got a lovingly prepared lunch in a metal lunchbox. If it was a brown paper bag, well, everyone knew it. A Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox? Instant popularity!
9. Fashion Wars: You were either a Kmart kid or not. There was no in-between. Sporting Guess jeans and Esprit shirts meant social status, while ill-fitting Kmart jeans put you in the “Sad Jeans Club.”
10. Milk: You could buy milk to go with your lunch. If you were financially challenged, your blue card gave away your status. It wasn’t great for your social standing.
11. Self-Esteem: No one cared about building self-esteem; you were expected to find that elsewhere. It was a different mindset back then.
12. Curriculum: If you could write the entire alphabet by the end of kindergarten, you were practically a genius. IQ tests were on the horizon!
13. Playtime: Remember playing marbles? No one worried about choking hazards back then. It was all part of the adventure of growing up.
14. Disciplinary Actions: Yes, spankings were a real thing, and the Principal’s office felt like a daunting trip.

Looking back, it’s clear that schools have transformed significantly since the ’80s. For more insights on parenting and education, you might enjoy other posts on our blog about home insemination, like this one on the significance of understanding your options.

In the end, while I might not excel at team sports today, my memories of school in the ’80s are filled with laughter and a touch of nostalgia.