Now and then? This kid is 17 now. Have things really changed that much? I think it's more likely he went to a different school and his parents had a different temperament than you and your fellow parents.
Also communication between parents is now at an all time high. I've seen this change in just the last two years.
My parents did try to sort things out, nothing happened though, so I stopped telling them about it.
I'm incredibly surprised myself by the things I've done over the years, it's a pretty awesome world!