Use this quick-reference guide for daily decision-making:
| Issue | 1973 Verdict | | :--- | :--- | | Bike helmet | Unnecessary. A scraped knee builds character. | | R-rated movie | “No” for under 12. For 12-14, “Only if you close your eyes during the sex part.” | | Walking to school alone (1 mile) | Required. Teaches responsibility. | | Smoking cigarettes | “You will stunt your growth.” (They will try it anyway.) | | Smoking marijuana | “That is a crime. You will go to jail with murderers.” | | Listening to Alice Cooper | “Fine, but not at dinner.” | | Reading Go Ask Alice (1971 book) | “It’s fiction, but yes, that is what happens when you take LSD.” | | Using the word “cool” | Acceptable. | | Using the word “groovy” | Not acceptable. It’s 1973, not 1968. | | Camping unsupervised in the backyard | Mandatory. Let them rough it. | 14 and under -1973 parents guide-
If you are a parent of an older teenager (18+) and choose to watch this for film studies or historical context, here are topics to discuss: Use this quick-reference guide for daily decision-making: |
For children 14 and under, the biggest killer in 1973 was the automobile. Seatbelt laws did not exist. A child riding a Schwinn Sting-Ray was a pedestrian missile. If you are a parent of an older
The 1973 Safety Checklist: