Innocent things you did as a child without repercussions, that would get you suspended today

[KRC]

Back in 1981 a couple black girls at my high school dressed as Klansmen for Halloween. Everyone thought it was hilarious. No one would dare do something like that nowadays.

[Omega_Glory]

It’s not something I did, but my first grade teacher used to give birthday spankings (long after the real thing had been outlawed in school). I imagine she’d face all kinds of backslash today.

[handsomeharry]

@Malthus

In grade six, my dad and I built a crossbow from a set of plans in an old popular mechanics magazine (using a bit cut from a carspring for the bow). I was so proud of this, I took it to school to show it off. The teacher had me demonstrate its parts for the class, but sensibly forbade any loading of it.

I never dreamed it would get me in trouble - and it didn’t. These days, I’m sure there would be a shitstorm.

These were projects in our woodworking class. Helped by teacher. Also, some students made rifle stocks.

[handsomeharry]

@Anamorphic

It seems a lot of people used to regularly carry knives around with them. Genuinely curious: was there a real reason you needed a knife with you during school, or was it just something to have on you? I’m thinking back to my high school days (late 80s) and I honestly can’t think of a reason I would have needed to have a knife with me during the school day.

From junior high to high school there is always something that needs cutting. String, rope, wires need to be stripped, holes need to be punched, etc…

I can’t think of more right now; unfortunately, that sort of mental sloth means that I won’t carry a knife. Then, when I need one, I’m SOL.

[handsomeharry]

@Chefguy

My first year of college in 1967, smoking was allowed in the classrooms. There were no ashtrays, so the butts just ended up on the floors. Inconceivable now.

Up until I got a driver’s license, I walked to school every day (starting with first grade) without a problem, and it wasn’t usually a short distance. Nobody thought anything of it.

At one of the colleges I attended, we could smoke in class at least until 1976. At a CC I worked at, we could smoke right outside of the classroom until 1988.

At our high school, we had a designated smoking area for students, at least until 1975.

[Senegoid]

Try sending your kiddo to school today with a peanut butter sandwich for lunch.