Complaining parents - When did this trend start?

No, this is not another "Let's bitch about parents" thread.

When did parents start calling to complain and/or demand about coverage for their kids? Has it always happened? Or is it a recent trend?

Every year, it seems like we (as in all of us) get more and more of them. Why is that?

 

When boomers became parents.

 

Same time as reality TV took off?

 

I would imagine it started around the same time that mid-sized papers made the move to focus more on local. Once the parents got a bite of earnest coverage, they wanted more.

 

I've been thinking a lot about this recently.

It started when I was talking with my father and he was asked about my biggest headache at work. When I told him about how parents expect coverage like it's included in the Bill of Rights, he was shocked. He couldn't believe parents did that.

 

The day after Caveman Journalist etched a story about Little Johnny's hunting exploits on the cave wall.

 

This is a pretty good marker.

 

It started when you didn't write the story about those incredible athletes who work just as hard as everyone else.

 

I think it was when the Eden Extra gave Cain the headlines and didn't mention Abel.

 

Abel didn't come through in the clutch, though.

 

I probably sound a bit like Bobby Knight here, but I think it's an outgrowth of the "our kids can do no wrong" belief that's become so common in parents today.

The parents who kvetch because you don't send a reporter to cover Optimist Club junior sheep tossing are probably the same ones who ream the coach for not starting their budding Jim Thorps or confront the teacher because they're obviously not motivating Johnny's glue-eating ass.

 

Worked just as hard, though.