Paging through a November 1965 issue of Boys' Life magazine, I was struck by two definite recurring themes: (1) be popular at all costs and (2) "happiness is a warm gun". Article after article and advertisement after advertisement is either about fitting in or firing weaponry.... sometimes both. It's no wonder these Boomers rebelled and started a peace loving counter-culture!
The caption to the photo at the top of this post reads: "What's the sign of a popular boy? He's outgoing, friendly, fun to be with, building much of his life around others. How do you measure up?"
I wonder how many boys read this and instantly felt like total shit.
In five short years, that same boy would still be making that same stupid grin - except, in 1970, he'd be smoking a big fat doobie and could give a flying shit about greeting others with a smile.
And when young Boomer boys weren't frantically trying to impress others, they were busy blowing away animals. Field & Stream and American Rifleman don't have as many gun ads combined to equal the number in this Boys' Life. Okay, most of them are BB guns, but still....
Damn! Even mom is getting in on the action! My parents never let me shoot my BB gun in the house. Did yours?
Click on the comics/gun ads below to view full size.
I guess they weren't as sick minded back then, but when I read the title of this ad, I can't help but chuckle.
