Couldn't help notice

well it depends on where you grow up and how you were raised.i grew up in west la in the mid 80s,and knew how to operate a boat by the time i was 11,we had a .22 rifle that we used on camp outs,but i knew it was off limits at home.i was also involved with boy scouts forever,and had to learn how to drive when i was 9 and not just any car it was a 68 dodge stick shift truck(my grandma was blind so during the summer it was my job to take her shopping in west texas).really all and all its the parents.and yeah if i messed up or got in trouble i got a wooping(now its child abuse).

too much

I cannot wait until the OC comes back.

I grew around this time also and my Dad use to give me money to ride the ferry every Saturday.....by myself at the age 8. I loved it so much!! I walked down to the pier and back home by myself and not one person ever bothered me. Those were the days!!

I agree with hunterjlc.

I was 12 myself when this movie came out. I did not see it until yesterday when it was on TCM. Why? because back then it was considered a little kids show. In the area I grew up in kids were expected to grow up fast. I was also the youngest in my family with quite an age difference between me and my siblings. I was expected to act as grown up as they were and be able to do the things they did.

After seeing it I decided that I missed out on a perfectly good movie. I'll have to catch the TV series on You Tube to see what I missed out on.

Yes I think this movie adequately portrayed the attitudes of the time.

"Help BUT notice," actually.

Yes, but the kids went out in boats with no life jackets.