Yeah you weren't allowed to cite encyclopedias when I was a kid because:
1) encyclopedias are a tertiary source. They cite information collected by others. (Primary source: the actual account/document etc, Secondary source: books or articles about the subject, Tertiary source: Summaries of secondary sources.)
2) The purpose of writing a research paper was.. doing research and looking up an entry in an encylopedia is a very superficial form of research.
Also the overall quality of Wikipedia articles has improved over the years. I remember when it was much more like HHG with random goofy stuff in articles, poor citations, etc. Comparing it to, for instance, Encarta was often fun.
1) encyclopedias are a tertiary source. They cite information collected by others. (Primary source: the actual account/document etc, Secondary source: books or articles about the subject, Tertiary source: Summaries of secondary sources.)
2) The purpose of writing a research paper was.. doing research and looking up an entry in an encylopedia is a very superficial form of research.
Also the overall quality of Wikipedia articles has improved over the years. I remember when it was much more like HHG with random goofy stuff in articles, poor citations, etc. Comparing it to, for instance, Encarta was often fun.