The ’70s were a time of more than bell-bottoms and disco balls, as some of the stuff we did back then wouldn’t fly today. Since then, we’ve come a long way in understanding what’s cool and what’s not so great. Here are 18 things that were completely fine back then but would be unacceptable today.
Smoking Anywhere and Everywhere
In the 1970s, you could light up a cigarette just about anywhere, including restaurants and hospitals. But today, smoking indoors could actually land you in trouble, as we’ve got a far better understanding of the health issues that come from smoking. Public places are much fresher for everyone.
Optional Seat Belts
Cars in the ‘70s might as well have had seat belts as decoration for all the use they got. Fast forward to now, and buckling up is the first thing we do because we know how important they are to keep us safe. In fact, in some states, the law has a thing or two to say about people not strapping in.
No Seat for Babies in Cars
Speaking of cars, it’s hard to believe there was a time when baby car seats weren’t a thing. In the 70s, it wasn’t uncommon to see a toddler bouncing around in the back seat or even sitting on someone’s lap up front. Today, we know better, and child car seats are a must because there are laws to make sure every little one is buckled up safely.
Sexist Ads Were the Norm
While sexism in ads still exists today, it’s nothing like the ones from the ’70s, where they talked about how a woman’s place was in the kitchen or looking pretty. Today, we’re trying a lot harder to smash those stereotypes by celebrating diversity and strength in all forms. Most ads show men and women in all roles, just as they should be.
A Little Spanking
It was completely acceptable to get a little “whack” from a teacher because that was just a part of school life. Now, we know better. Schools have ditched the paddle for methods supporting learning and respecting students’ dignity because we realized that encouragement works better than fear. Who would’ve thought?
Driving Under the Influence
In the 70s, drunk driving wasn’t taken as seriously as it is today. But strict laws and serious consequences have meant that there’s no excuse why anyone should be doing it. Sobriety checkpoints and ad campaigns have also driven the message home that roads are safer when drivers stay sober.
Litter Everywhere
Littering was just something people did in the 1970s that we saw as no big issue. Now, we understand that our planet deserves better, and anti-litter campaigns have helped us clean up our act quite a bit. You can see the effects in real life with the cleaner streets and parks we have nowadays.
What’s Recycling?
Similarly, throwing things in the trash was the ’70s way, which was far removed from how we usually sort things into paper and plastic these days. Recycling is part of daily life, and we’re all better for it. In fact, many kids learn about recycling from school, which has greatly impacted how we handle waste and protect our resources.
Jobs for Him, Jobs for Her
Job ads in the 70s were pretty clear about who they wanted when they said things like “Secretary: Female, Typist: Male.” Now, that’s illegal, and for good reason, because talent doesn’t necessarily come from your gender. Workplaces are far more inclusive, meaning all kinds of people can succeed in all kinds of industries.
Lead Is Bad News
Lead in paint and gasoline was completely normal back then until we figured out it was poisoning us and our environment. Getting rid of lead was a major public health victory that made homes and products a lot safer for everyone. We can all breathe a little easier knowing that this toxin is out of our everyday lives.
“Just Being Friendly”
Back then, brushing things off like unsolicited advances from men was easy: ” Boys being boys.” But now, we recognize it for what it is: harassment. Consent and respect are far more important, thanks to awareness programs that have become standard in many workplaces and schools. We’ve got a much better understanding of boundaries and personal space.
Fur Is Out
That was pretty easy if you wanted a fur coat in the ’70s. Today, faux is much more popular because of animal rights campaigns, and many designers have responded by phasing out real fur. Lots of them promote alternatives that are kind to animals and encourage more ethical fashion choices.
Plastic Fantastic
Plastic was the miracle material of the 70s, although these days, we can see the not-so-great side of it, especially the single-use stuff. We’re trying to cut down on plastic with reusable bags and bottles. In fact, many cities have even banned certain types of plastic products altogether to cut back.
Water, Water Everywhere
Water waste wasn’t an issue back then, so you’d have sprinklers running all day or take long showers. Now we know better, as we recognize that water’s precious, and we’re trying to save every drop. Drought conditions in many parts of the world have made these issues really hit home.
Brush Off Mental Health
Ignoring mental health issues was pretty standard in the 70s, but not anymore. We take mental health seriously these days by giving people support and understanding instead of simply judging them. We also have more resources and better access to care so that people can get the help they need when they need it. Destigmatizing mental health is so important.
Spray and Pray Pesticides
DDT and other harsh chemicals were okay back then, although we now prefer greener solutions that are better for us and the bugs we don’t necessarily want to kill. Organic farming and natural pest control methods are more popular now to keep our crops healthy without hurting the environment. That’s good for everyone.
Safety Last at Work
Workplace safety wasn’t a big concern in the ’70s, but today, keeping workers safe is top of the list. Everyone deserves to come home in one piece, which is why regulations and safety training are standard in practically every industry. These measures have considerably reduced the number of accidents and injuries at work.
DIY Car Repairs on the Street
Remember when people would just open the hood and tinker with their car’s engine on the street? In the 70s, doing your own car repairs wherever you parked was normal, but not so much these days. Cars are much more complicated, and cities are a lot stricter about how we can use the streets, so most of us leave the grease monkey business to the pros in a shop.
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