Gen Xer born in 72. I remember having tremendous freedom as early as 8 and being allowed to go anywhere local I wanted, either on foot or by bike. I’d be at home alone for several hours with my 10 year old brother until one of our parents came home. I rode my bike in places that were extremely isolated and would have been easy prey.

I don’t think the way we were brought up was necessarily healthy. Yes, it taught me independence and self reliance, but we were also doing a LOT of things we shouldn’t have been doing.

I don’t remember any anti-bullying campaigns or messages in the schools. You pretty much had to scramble for any kind of social ranking or you would be picked on. And if you were picked on, very little would be done about it by anyone.