Last Updated on April 19, 2025 by Matt Staff
Back then, the average teen’s life looked starkly different from what it does today. This rings especially true for the Boomers who grew up in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. So many of the things they did for fun, rebellion, or just out of sheer boredom would likely have landed today’s teens in severe trouble back at school. We’ll look at some of the flashbacks that reveal just how much society, school systems, and expectations from teens have changed over the decades.
1. Prank Calling Teachers at School
Oh boy, has technology robbed the more mischievous students of some cherished, rule-breaking pastimes. Back in the day it was quite easy to go about prank calling unsuspecting teachers at school. Now, handy things like caller ID make this pretty much impossible.
2. Skipping School—With the Principal’s Knowledge
As long as you weren’t actively causing trouble, plenty of school officials would potentially turn a blind eye to “ditch days.” In certain places, seniors even had designated days off for pranks or beach trips.
3. Driving to School at 14 or 15
Driver’s permits were very easy to get early, and in rural areas, teens would often drive themselves (or even their siblings) to school before most kids today even have the standard learner’s permit.
4. Pranking Teachers and Getting Just a Slap on the Wrist
From the whoopee cushions to full-blown classroom rearrangements, mischief was met with many a chuckle and maybe even detention. Never such things as suspension or criminal charges.
5. Forging Notes or Report Cards
Yeah, good luck to any clever students out there who would try to pull off such a thing nowadays. Back in the day, though, there were many clever students trying to get away with forging notes and/or report cards.
6. Physically Disciplining Other Students (With a Coach’s Nod)
Back in the day, in either sports or shop class, fights were sometimes settled in a physically volatile fashion, and even with a coach supervising. So messed up, and certainly not around anymore.
7. Climbing on the Roof or Water Tower Just Because
Plenty of kids loved to climb up on top of the roof or water towers just for the pure fun of it. There wasn’t any grand end destination in mind when this was carried out, outside of maybe catching a glorious view.
8. Blasting Loud Rock Music on School Grounds
Yeah, this one’s just harmless and fun. Whether it was accomplished through boomboxes or car stereos, teens would oftentimes bring their rebellious soundtracks right into parking lots or halls, and with few complaints being waged.
9. Secret Clubs That Met in Boiler Rooms or Basements
It felt some kind of crazy cool to be a part of a secret club that would proceed to meet in a boiler room or basement, at that.
10. Cruising the Campus on Motorcycles
Some students would proceed to ride motorcycles to school, park them outside, and then even rev them up for fun times during lunch breaks. Of course, no helmets required.
11. Bringing Firecrackers or M-80s for Laughs
Yeah, this one was just pure recklessness. It could’ve been a symptom of some wild Fourth of July leftovers. Firecrackers were sometimes snuck into lockers or even used in pranks. Today, that would naturally result in lockdowns and other dire consequences.
12. Sneaking Out During Fire Drills
There was a time when plenty of students would look forward to fire drills. This is because fire drills seemed to provide the perfect exit opportunities for students to sneak out and make clean getaways.
