why are children today so different from those born decades ago?

Intellectually advanced isn't what these modern-day children are. They are just more visible and audible nowadays hence they appear more smartie. With more and more working mothers out there, children are exposed to influences outside the home at a much younger age than before. Decades ago, children were hardly seen in public until they become of school age.

It's not so much the food they ingest while in the womb but their very early exposure to a world of vast knowledge that is definitely more accessible now.

I honestly think that this is what all moms and us older folks say when we see our kids, nieces & nephews, and grandchildren. It is because we tend to observe the kids as doting grandmas and grandpas, that every little thing they say or do, or not do, we conclude to be fascinating.

If we rewind to the past, 20 years or so ago, the parents were also saying the same thing, how the children were so "Advanced", unlike them in their growing up years.

Rewind to 40 years ago, I also see the cast mouthing the same things, making the same observations.

Only the environment changes, and surely that helps, to some degree. Yes, 3-4 year olds now are exposed to TV and the malls, when 60 years ago they could only get out-of-home exposure by radio and the occasional picnics to the beach or to the woods.

Because those days children were severely reprimanded when they made a mistake. I believe that because of this, most children loses self confidence thinking that they will be punished whenever they try to do something new on their own, and would then rely only on what their parents say. Unlike now, children are privileged with more freedom which enhance their independence giving them more opportunity to learn new things.

Then, there's new technology. We used to play chinese garter and piko, unlike now of the computer age, and with the internet at hand, children are open to an endless knowledge, so to speak, that it offers.

The only advantage we had, we stayed virgin longer, on that field, I can safely say.. we are smarter.

Technology is really a BIG DEAL today, everyone has access to almost everything, & most of the time not the best of things. Kids can see whatever they want on TV, Phones, Internet. The world is just very opened. The music can also influence kids.

BECAUSE...

We (the children of today) are BORN in this...generation.

WHILE our parents (as you suggested) were born..."decades" ago.

I think technological advances also had their effect on us. I mean, like...food supplements aren't the only thing that would affect people. :]

each generation should be smarter - able to adapt and be creative in handling resources - than the previous ones in order for the species to survive. technology has nothing to do with it, and in some ways, depending too much on technology has an adverse effect, e.g. younger people have trouble with simple arithmetic operations because they rely on calculators.

because people change as time flies.

and children now a days are born in technology generation that's why

Val erie is right. It's the technology and the kids being exposed to socializing with other people globally (internet, tv)

Technology. Also the reason they are content sitting instead of doing physical activities. You can't have 'em all.

Each generation has access to more technology and will exceed more in school as education becomes better and more widely available.