<p>The overwhelming response of every adult I know is: “Thank God I went to high school and college in the 70’s”. School administration, the rules, the police and the laws were a little less rigid and severe. The consequences of our stupid actions in the teen and early adult years were less likely to haunt our lives. </p>
<p>If you were caught on the roof of your dorm in 1978 you would have been “written up” by the hall director, and probably be required to have a chat with the housing director who would have told you not to be so stupid, and that would have been the end of it, at least if that was your first act of stupidity. Today you’d probably end up with a police citation for trespassing and disorderly conduct, which will haunt you forever, even after getting it expunged.</p>
<p>It seems to me that we have lost the attitude of high school and college being a time of mentoring our youngsters from stupidity towards becoming adults who make wise choices. We seem to have more of a “gotcha” attitude towards our teens and young adults.</p>
<p>Although I wonder if maybe the change in attitude I see is as much a reflection of where I now live (DC burbs) compared to where I lived in the 70’s (small town midwest).</p>
<p>Did a lot of fun, stupid things back in the 70’s that I would hate to have still following me around now.</p>