I've thought about this a lot as recall thinking back when I was about 12 that each year to be born after mine was better.I'm at the tail end of the boomers and being born just a few years later was better because you then had sesame street, color TV, the big wheel, banana seat bikes, much better cartoons and shows.Then by around 2000 or so copious busy work gobs of homework and play time not being valued was apparent.By around '90 , The programming for kids has gotten even better but that difference isn't worth the further trade off of economic, career stress in families, less adult attention.Most important things: Play, adult emotional nurturing, mental stimulation that helps social and intellectual development.