Schools in the United States stopped teaching "Duck and Cover" drills in the 1980s. These civil defense exercises, once a common part of the school curriculum during the Cold War, taught students to take cover under desks or against walls in the event of a nuclear attack.
The End of an Era for Civil Defense Drills
The discontinuation of "Duck and Cover" drills was a gradual process influenced by changing public perception and strategic defense considerations. By the 1980s, there was significant backlash against civilian defense programs, with many viewing them as a waste of money and an ineffective response to the evolving nature of the nuclear threat.
Key aspects of their decline include:
- Phased Out in the 1980s: While some regions might have phased them out earlier, the 1980s is generally recognized as the decade when "Duck and Cover" drills were largely discontinued across American schools.
- Public Skepticism: The drills faced increasing criticism for offering minimal protection against the realities of a nuclear detonation and for potentially creating undue fear among children.
- Resource Allocation: The funds and efforts dedicated to these programs began to be seen as misdirected, especially as the focus shifted more towards arms control and international diplomacy rather than individual preparedness for a nuclear attack.
The cessation of these drills marked a shift in how the government and public approached the threat of nuclear war, moving away from individual survival strategies towards broader geopolitical solutions.
For more information on the history of civil defense during the Cold War, you can explore resources from institutions like the National Archives.
