'A Day In The Life Of A Suburban 60's Teenager' by Jan Lloyd

Although I used to long for the summer holidays to arrive, when they finally did I would invariably end up being bored most of the time. Apart from the odd visit to relatives with my parents I was usually left to my own devices.
My Mum and Dad both worked full time so were rarely around to lift me out of the endless lack of entertainment. So I would wonder around aimlessly with which ever friend was available and not away on some luxurious holiday. If friends were away the only highlight or contact with a human being would be the bread delivery man, who I became convinced I was in love with. This built up to near hysteria as I watched out of the window for the arrival of the "Wrights Bakery" van. He would jump out of the van whistling and I would gaze in awe as he marched up the path. I would rush to the back door and pay him the money my Mum had left as he smiled and uttered something about the weather. I would interpret that as a sign that, as he'd taken the time to speak to me, then he must love me too; but the reality was he was at least twenty and oblivious to the teenage crush I had on him. The other regular visit was from the Pearl Insurance man but without the frisson of excitement as he was very strange and creepy. An argument would ensue between my brother and myself as to who would go to the door to pay the money as neither of us could stop giggling when he arrived. The poor man must have dreaded coming to our house!
When Jean, who lived next door but one, was around we would play ball against the wall or handstands to see who could stay up the longest or visit the rec to stare at David and Stuart who were mods and had scooters. Going to the rec took some preparation as we had to look our best to get the attention of these two Adonises. Once we picked out our most impressive outfits and applied the latest trend in makeup we would saunter over to the rec and sit on the swings to await their arrival. David and Stuart would eventually arrive looking trendy and sophisticated wearing parkas, driving their scooters around the perimeter of the grassed area. Their friends would hang around looking enviously at the gleaming scooters whilst we tried to look cool and disinterested, wishing deep down that they would ride over and ask us out. This never happened and eventually we would drift off and walk back home discussing who looked at who and whether they really fancied us but were just too shy to talk. We would return to our respective homes to meet up again after tea to watch telly together to ogle more heart throbs - "The Monkees", or "Ready Steady Go". If my parents were working late I would prepare my own tea purchased off Tanner's travelling shop - a pleasurable treat which would arrive in the late afternoon. Mr Tanner would beep the horn to attract out customers, usually all housewives, struggling to think what to make for dinner. I would race out mainly for sweets but would sometimes choose something for a special meal. Vesta Curry was my favourite as it was easy to make and I felt really exotic and interesting having a curry for tea.
So the long summers as a teenager would pass by spent indulging in simple pleasures and what appears to be a far cry from the teenagers of today. I'm sure all teenagers throughout the world encounter the same angst and difficulties in forming relationships, struggling to be independent and finding something "out there" to spark an interest. There still seems to be the same problems thrown at them as I had in the 60's but, in general, appear more able and confident in dealing with them despite whatever outside influences dictate how their future develops. There are more support networks available and females get more choices and opportunities.
I think most generations believe they are living through the best times and will always look back with a nostalgic fondness. Overall what I considered to be a boring and mundane existence, on reflection, was comparatively innocent and blissful.