Back to School in the 1970s
- In the last week of August, parents would take their children to downtown department stores like Sears to shop for school clothes. Outfits typically included a new pair of corduroys and a striped tee for boys, while girls might receive culottes or dungarees. One could negotiate with children over their choices, such as rejecting a brightly colored poncho in favor of a promise to crochet a more stylish version. Hair accessories like fuzzy yarn were also popular. The total expenditure for this shopping excursion was approximately $43, finishing with a trip to the Woolworth’s lunch counter for grilled cheese sandwiches and chocolate milk.
- The night prior to the first day of school, typically the Sunday after Labor Day, parents would gather the kids and rush off to discount stores like K-Mart or Dollar General to select lunchboxes. The urgency of the shopping trip was underscored by the looming deadline of bedtime and the risk of missing out on evening television favorites. Parents would also grab essential school supplies such as composition books and pencils, while also preparing to cover textbooks with recycled grocery bags.
- The morning of the first school day often began with a strong cup of Sanka coffee, followed by the assembly of identical lunches for each child, including classic sandwiches made from Wonder Bread, bologna, and American cheese, all wrapped neatly in foil. Optional sandwiches could include tuna fish or peanut butter variations. Parents would discreetly include snacks like Planter’s Cheese Balls and Twinkies, knowing full well that the red delicious apple would likely return home uneaten.
- After ensuring all lunchboxes were packed, children would grab a pop tart on their way out the door, making the journey to the bus stop a half-mile away. Parents could then relax, perhaps listening to Barry Manilow records, relieved to have the house to themselves until dinner.
Back to School Today
- In contrast, today’s parents often start preparing weeks in advance, taking a moment for mindfulness before diving into the chaos of back-to-school shopping. With access to online shopping, parents can order BPA-free bento boxes and ethically sourced tiffins without leaving home. The convenience of services like Amazon Prime allows for swift delivery, providing ample time for careful selection.
- A week later, the school supply list arrives—often lengthy and demanding, including unconventional items like a ten-pound bag of flour and cleaning supplies.
- Frantic searches ensue for environmentally friendly backpacks that are also fashion-forward, often with monogramming for personalization.
- Shopping trips to malls for new clothes have become extravagant, with parents spending significant amounts on brands catering to children’s fashion.
- Mental preparation for children is also emphasized, with visits to child psychologists to ease the transition into a new academic year.
- Parents must navigate allergy lists to ensure that their children’s lunches are safe for all classmates, a task made complicated by the increasing prevalence of food allergies.
- The school supplies list is daunting, requiring not just basic items but also specialized tools like calligraphy sets and graphing calculators.
- Grocery shopping for school lunches becomes an exhaustive task at health-oriented stores, where every label is scrutinized for organic and allergy-friendly certifications.
- The night before school starts, parents prepare elaborate Bento boxes filled with intricately cut fruits and artisanal sandwiches, taking care to photograph these creations for social media sharing.
- Encouraging notes and stickers are included in lunchboxes, followed by hydration packs with filtered water and coconut water to ensure children are always hydrated.
- Many parents document the entire back-to-school experience, capturing every moment from sign-making at dawn to coordinated outfit photos.
- After dropping the children off at school, many parents experience a wave of emotions, sometimes taking a moment to process their feelings before returning home.
In conclusion, the transition back to school has evolved significantly from the simplicity of the 1970s to the highly organized and elaborate preparations of today. The shift reflects broader societal changes, emphasizing both educational preparedness and emotional support for children.
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