I agree with bluemagic that the world is not more dangerous now than it was when we were kids.

Another fact that many people don't know is that teen sexual activity is down and that teen pregnancy is in continuing decline:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way...ies-continue-to-decline-new-report-shows

Teen smoking and drinking also continue to decline. Pot use is up, though:

http://healthland.time.com/2011/12/14/teen-drug-use-marijuana-up-cigarettes-and-alcohol-down/

Sometimes I wonder if anyone else was a teen in the 80s.