Imagine what life was like 50 years ago. Families would actually talk when they were at the dinner table. Kids weren’t risking their lives looking at their smartphones while crossing the streets, and the women’s movement still had a long way to go. Now jump 50 years into the present, and you’ll see just how much the world has changed in the last couple of decades. And we’re not just talking about all the technology that’s out there like Bluetooth, cars that talk, and the internet. We’re referring to the way society has evolved. So, we’ve gathered a list of things that were totally not okay 50 years ago, but are oh-so-normal today.Fifty years ago, having a tattoo wasn’t something you shared with everyone. But you were a total rebel if you got one. You had to cover it up, especially if you wanted a job. These days, people are free to show off their ink without the fear of being judged.
While swearing in films was given the green light in 1968, by the Motion Picture Association of America, actual swearing wasn’t common in music. But then, rap music became a thing, and suddenly, swearing became common in song titles and lyrics.
Folks from 50 years ago would probably gawk at society for using things like apps and dating sites to find someone to spend the night with. Even going to a singles bar in those days was considered a faux pas. Casual hookups are beyond accepted and okay in today’s world, and best of all? People don’t have to lie about their lifestyle!
Although a US ban on interracial marriages was lifted in1967, society still had a tough time coping with mixed-race couples and marriages. But these days, it’s beyond accepted, and mixed races are portrayed in films and television without people batting an eyelash.
People used to think that women had to take their husband’s name once they got married. But over time, society seems to have done away with the archaic ritual. And now, it’s becoming more common for women to keep their maiden names. That’s the beauty of being able to choose what works for you!
Modern designers have created fashion that allows bra straps to be totally visible, but years ago, people would have a fit if they were seen people wearing low-cut jeans that showed off a G-string. Also, showing off a bra-strap was a major faux pas…and it kind of still is in some places, but you won’t see people fretting over it, thankfully!
Wearing hats indoors isn’t exactly a sign of disrespect or the acts of a person who hasn’t been taught “good manners.” In fact, most people consider it very fashionable and trendy. But in the past, you couldn’t walk into someone’s house or a restaurant without being told to take your hat off.
Social media has given us the freedom to share things about our personal lives as if we were all members of the Kardashian/Jenner family. But in the past, people didn’t like airing their dirty laundry in public. And yet, no one seemed to mind watching someone else do it on shows like “Jerry Springer.”
A lot of countries have legalized LGBT marriages, but in those days, it was a forbidden topic that a lot of people didn’t even want to talk about. But today’s modern world has slowly become more accepting of all forms of love.
Swearing is a lot more acceptable in society than it was a couple of decades ago. It used to be considered impolite, especially among women. But today, men and women equally mouth off all sorts of profanity that would probably give their grandmothers heart attacks.
Remember “Gilmore Girls”? The show about a single mom raising her teen daughter? A couple of decades ago, the thought of being a single parent or having a baby before getting married was frowned upon. But these days, millennials are having babies before marriage. In 2016, researchers published this statistic: 57 percent of parents ages 26 to 31 are having children outside of wedlock.
With the popularity of smartphones, people don’t just call after 9:00 p.m., they text you, reach out to you on FaceTime, and send you video messages. It’s become the new norm, but even twenty years ago, people would have been enraged if they got a phone call so late at night, unless it was an emergency.
In general, everyone seems to have a more chillaxed attitude towards breastfeeding in public. But a few decades back, you could actually get into trouble, or get kicked out of an establishment if you were breastfeeding your baby. Some people do continue to complain about it, even though it’s pretty much the most natural thing in the world.
These days, anyone can join the military. In fact, as of 2013, women in the US can join units that go into combat. Of course, there’s always room for improvement in the race for gender equality in the military, especially in some parts of the world.
Men would go out and work while many women stayed at home to cook, clean, and raise the kids. Now it’s totally acceptable for all genders to switch roles so that mom can focus on her career while dad stays home and takes care of the kids.
In the 60s and 70s, it was common to find people smoking cannabis, especially during the hippie era. But it didn’t mean that everyone thought it was groovy. But legal or not, cannabis is everywhere these days, and it’s also being used for medical purposes.
Back in 1977, Aaron Spelling’s “Starsky & Hutch” was the most popular TV series, and it was also considered the most violent. “The $6 Million Man,” and “Hawaii Five-O” were also considered violent too.
Transgender people weren’t welcomed with open arms 50 years ago. Fortunately, modern pioneers like Caitlyn Jenner and many trans voices have shared their stories publicly and allowed people to see that they’re people who deserve to be loved just like everyone else.
