Psychology says the 1960s and 70s accidentally produced one of the most emotionally durable generations in modern history - not through better parenting but through benign neglect that forced children to develop internal regulation instead of waiting for adult intervention - Silicon Canals

"Benign neglect refers to a parenting style characterized by minimal intervention, allowing children the freedom to navigate their own experiences. My old man worked construction. My mother kept house and managed four kids. They had bigger worries than whether I was emotionally fulfilled or reaching my full potential."

"Research indicates that unstructured, unsupervised play in the 1960s and 1970s helped children develop distress tolerance and emotional regulation by confronting manageable risks and learning to assess danger, handle minor injuries, and cope with losing or failing."

"In the 1960s and '70s, free play wasn't an extracurricular activity; it was the default. Nobody organized our games. Nobody refereed our fights. We made up the rules as we went along."

In the 70s, children experienced a parenting style characterized by benign neglect, allowing them to navigate their own experiences. Parents were preoccupied with daily responsibilities, leading to minimal supervision. This lack of intervention enabled children to develop essential skills such as distress tolerance and emotional regulation through unstructured play. Kids learned to solve their own problems, cope with injuries, and handle failures. Free play was the norm, with children creating their own games and rules, fostering independence and resilience.

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