America, the new world, settled by rugged frontiersmen who feared little and tolerated much. An image that his been planted in the minds of every American, young or old. An emphasis on the individual, free-spiritedness, shunning governance. Yet, over the past few decades it is remarkable to note just how much the average American has grown to accept safety guidance from their governments large or small. Long gone are the days when we would adorn our walls with lead paint, or splatter asbestos on our ceilings. The average American today is starkly different from their 1970s counterpart that put their child in the front seat of the station wagon with no car seat, pacified infants with whiskey on the gums and threw weighted darts at one another for fun. Are we any better for it? I’d say so. Longevity is pretty important and most of these regulations are common sense.
On the other hand, we are quick to jump into moral panics. Eager to let our legislators ban anything that can be construed to constitute a risk to the public wellbeing. This past year millions of parents and educators were rattled to their cores by news of lung injuries from vaping. Of course, the fact that those who had to be hospitalized were vaping exclusively counterfeit THC cartridges tainted with fillers, opium and Vitamin E was overlooked. Instead a spate of legislation ensued that banned flavored vape cartridges, destabilized a once booming industry and sent many people back to their cancer sticks. Friends of mine that vaped, started smoking like chimneys, some more than a pack a day. Be careful when you give up your rights. Remember- Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
I really enjoyed reading this blog because this is a topic I have never really thought about before. I agree that government regulations have changed the way that our generation was raised compared to our parents’ generation. As you mentioned, my parents tell me stories about riding in their station wagons with all their siblings without seat belts and how my grandparents used parenting methods that are now considered dangerous. In most cases, the previous lack of knowledge on these topics is why they are currently banned but reading this made me wonder about why some other factors of our childhood were so much more governed than our parents’. My parents would tell me how they used to leave the house in the mornings during the summer and their parent’s only rule was to be back by dinner. This was before they could drive and before they were even in high school. The government has not set any regulations about this, but why was Gen Z not allowed to walk to their neighbors without telling their parents exactly where they were going, how long they will be there, and who else will be there? Although a rise in “safety-phobia” has allowed Americans to live a healthier lifestyle than before, I question if some experiences that it has taken away, even without regulation, are too much.