If you were a teen during the late 60's and early 70's?

Question

what was is like?

Answer 1

I think it was better in a lot of ways. Kids today are always , BORED,back then we had chores and responsibility, we dated but had chaperone's, went to school, but didn't worry about fashion scenes,had after school jobs, we enjoyed hobbies,did things together as a family,had weekly allowances for doing extra chores,, not for cleaning a room we slept in,visited our grand parents and had respect for everyone, especially if you knew what was good for you.And did as you were told,not as you felt like.

Answer 2

I was in Engineering course (5 years) which I joined at 16 and was in hostel. It was rather tough, challenging, free and exciting but with lot of responsibility on our heads. Classes (7:30am to 4:00pm) used to engage us for long hours with us eager to learn and porfessors being task masters. There is no question of anything like pending work. Those were the cycling days in the small traditional town of Kakinada, on the shores of Bay of Bengal. Nothing flashy, gaudy but everything dignified. The time-off from routine are movies (3 per week), music (in Radio/transistor). I used that time to read a lot of English literature, pulp fiction, current affairs, though it dented my ranking in the class. But it was a wise decision when I look back. We used to cycle down to the uninhabited beaches in fullmoon in the nights. Our hostel mess was famous for food as our Principal's motto was 'Engineer must eat well'. For 'survey' practicals with equipment slung on backs, we used to go round the villages around consuming coconuts, pea-nut brittles, cashew fruit (offered gratis) after a 10-idly breakfast.

Early on I got addicted to Beatles and continue to be one ('Hard days night' continues to be my favourite). Changed to black skin-tight trousers and pointed shoes with a li'l bit of extra heel; some of us (not me) bought and strummed guitars. Others we used to listen - Jim Reeves, the man with the golden voice(I believe it), Nat King Cole (L O V E love..), Cliff Richards (Young ones), Engleburt Humperdink (Oh, please stay with me Diana - this I used to hum often, on behalf of Prince Charles when princess Diana was there), Triny Lopez and Frank Sinatra was late comer. Saw plenty of 'Jerry Lewis' movies, particularly with his co-star Dean martin (Cinderfella, Geisha boy, Pardners, 'You are never too young' which Kishore kumar remade it as 'Half ticket'). I was and am crazy about Kishore Kumar movies and songs. Also 'Junglee', 'Ek Musafir Ek hasina', 'Hum Dono' were released. I saw more of Telugu movies too. That was the golden period for movie goers & with a coice of Telugu, Hindi and Hollywood movies. My children (daughter & two sons) envy my movie watching expertise. I often am their guide to movies on TV later. Back home at Hyderabad for vacation, more movies (Ten Commandments, Chase a crooked shadow, Charade, Vertigo & oodles of war movies). I won first prize twice for light music (vocal), drawing, general knowledge quiz (I was college topper in my first year), into Mock-parliament sessions and so on. Well, no girl friends. There were no girls in Engineering then. There used to be a senior & 3 juniors, all bad-looking, but none in our class. Tried for a friend in local girls polytecnic (both competed in songs competition), but they used to be extremely cautious as it is might tarnish a girl's name. We guys used to understand and support. So, for you guys it is a big let-down when I say this. Later on, mine was an arranged marriage.

I entered Engineering college as a boy and came out a man, thankful for my teachers to whom I owe my successes and who gave me a big chunk of quiet self-confidence. I enjoyed it all in moderation and with responsibility. Not only me, but my whole class across the globe keep in touch. Some of us (Beatles fans still) listen to later day singers (Fred Mercury, Cher, Beyonce, Spiceys and Britneys and our home grown 'Apache Indian'); but music in Tamil & Telugu movies is revolutionising music. My children and their cousins dig into this treasure trove of 'old songs' as they call, the music of our teens.

Answer 3

I'm guess it was a total gas, groovy man.

Answer 4

I'm not from that generation but some of my relatives are (obviously) and they say that it was the best time ever. One of my cousins grew up in Cambridge, England and he says that it was the wildest, most extreme experience ever. He followed a lot of bands around and sold LSD+pot at the concerts. He claims to have smoked pot with Syd Barrett before he became mainstream, but I find that hard to believe though. He didn't have a real job either, he was the British equivalent of a hippie/hobo who just sold and smoked a lot of weed. Some of the things he says he's seen and done are just amazing. I kind of wish I grew up during that time instead of the 90s.

EDIT: I think it depends on what lifestyle you lived. Obviously, like today, there is the pro-establishment lifestyle and anti-establishment (except there isn't as much anti-establishment today). If you were a hippie or non-conformist, you had a lot of fun and freedom. If you were a conformist, then your life was very restricted.