Back to School in the 1970s
- As August draws to a close, parents would take their children downtown for back-to-school shopping at stores like Sears. Outfits typically included a new pair of corduroys and a striped t-shirt for each child. Boys might receive dungarees while girls opted for culottes. Requests for trendy items, such as an orange and red poncho, were often met with negotiations—perhaps a promise to crochet a better one later. Accessories like rainbow fuzzy yarn for hair became a staple. The total expenditure for clothing? Approximately $43. A visit to Woolworth’s for grilled cheese sandwiches and chocolate milk rounded out the day.
- The night before school resumed—usually the Sunday after Labor Day—parents would load the kids into the station wagon and rush to local stores like Eckerds or K-Mart. The goal: selecting lunchboxes, with a sense of urgency to ensure everyone was in bed by eight. Difficult choices between characters like Holly Hobbie or The Bionic Woman could lead to parental ultimatums. Each child received a composition notebook and a pack of pencils for the school year. Grocery bags were saved for textbook covers.
- A pack of Virginia Slims would often accompany parents on the way home.
- On the first day of school, parents would prepare simple lunches, typically an assembly line of sandwiches made from ingredients like bologna, American cheese, and mustard, wrapped neatly in foil.
- Alternate lunch options included peanut butter with grape jelly or tuna fish sandwiches, along with snacks like Planter’s Cheese Balls and Twinkies. A red delicious apple would be included, destined to return home uneaten.
- Parents would send their children off with the same lunch, while they enjoyed a moment of peace, perhaps listening to Barry Manilow.
Back to School Today
- Fast forward to today, and the preparation for back-to-school looks remarkably different. Parents often begin by taking a moment to breathe and affirm that there is still time to order eco-friendly bento boxes and tiffins. With resources like Amazon Prime, they can ensure timely delivery while contemplating the best options available.
- A week later, the school supply list arrives, stretching over three pages and including items such as cleaning supplies and toilet paper.
- The quest for the perfect backpack made from sustainable materials begins, often with personalization options.
- Shopping for clothing at popular stores like Gymboree can lead to significant expenses, sometimes totaling over $2,000.
- Parents may also seek out psychologists to help their children transition to new grades and classrooms.
- Allergy lists from schools add pressure to lunch preparations, with parents meticulously noting ingredients to avoid potential allergic reactions.
- The school supply shopping trip becomes a complex mission beyond just notebooks and pens, including tech gadgets and specialty items.
- A trip to Whole Foods for lunch items can consume hours, with parents scrutinizing labels for organic and allergy-friendly choices.
- The evening before school starts, bento boxes are prepared with intricate, healthy meals, often photographed for social media.
- Encouraging notes and stickers are included for a personal touch.
- Hydration is prioritized, with filtered water and coconut water packed for lunches.
- The experience may be documented in a blog post with hopes of going viral.
- On the first day of school, parents wake up early to create elaborate signs and festive decorations for photo opportunities.
- Breakfast often consists of themed pancakes, and a coordinated family outfit is planned for the perfect shot.
- After dropping off the children, parents may find themselves emotional, but comforted by the knowledge that they will reunite after school.
In summary, the evolution of back-to-school preparations from the 1970s to today illustrates a shift from simplicity to a more complex, detail-oriented process. While the essentials remain, the emphasis on personalization, dietary considerations, and emotional support reflects changing societal norms and parenting styles.
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