Studies in developmental psychology relate the ability to manage one’s emotions with an upbringing marked by autonomy, low adult supervision, and the need to solve problems without constant help.
Specialists maintain that this environment strengthens skills such as frustration tolerance, emotional control and the ability to face daily conflicts from an early age.
A childhood with more independence
In 1966, psychologist Diana Baumrind, of the University of California at Berkeleyidentified three parenting styles: authoritarian, authoritative and permissive. However, beyond these categories, a large part of the children of the 60s and 70s lived a childhood with high levels of independence.
The minors walked alone to school. They also resolved arguments without adult intervention and learned to tolerate boredom without permanent stimulation.
Parents spent more time away from home for work and children’s emotional well-being was not at the center of family dynamics. As a consequence, children developed their own mechanisms to face discomfort and difficulties.
Psychologist Peter Gray, from Boston College, defined this phenomenon as free play. As he explained, the possibility of negotiating rules, resolving conflicts and organizing activities without supervision strengthened fundamental emotional skills.
Change in perception of personal control
Psychologist Jean Twenge investigated the concept of locus of control, related to the perception of mastery over one’s own life.
Their analysis showed that Between 1960 and 2002, young people began to feel that external factors increasingly controlled their decisions and outcomes.
By 2002, the average young person perceived less control over their life than 80% of young people in the 1960s.
Research linked this change to the increase in disorders such as anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. Studies suggest that generations raised with greater autonomy developed a stronger sense of personal agency.
Learn to tolerate frustration
Another central element was the call distress tolerance. This concept describes the ability to live with discomfort without seeking to eliminate it immediately.
In the 60s and 70s, this practice was part of everyday life. Children waited longer to get what they wanted. In addition, they faced moments of boredom without digital distractions and solved social problems without immediate intervention.
Specialists consider that these experiences functioned as involuntary emotional training.
However, experts also pointed out negative consequences in this parenting model. The lack of emotional validation and the stigma towards mental health caused difficulties for many people.
Difference with current parenting
Currently, constant supervision and immediate intervention in the event of any difficulty are part of many parenting models.
Some researchers warn that this approach reduces opportunities to develop coping tools before adulthood.
The evidence suggests that decades ago many emotional crises were resolved in everyday spaces such as school or the neighborhood. Today, several of those challenges appear later in life.
The studies conclude that the generation of the 60s and 70s developed emotional strength in the midst of a less protective context and with greater demands for autonomy.