America’s full of traditions. Sure, they’re comforting, but some of them are keeping us stuck in the past instead of moving things forward. We spoke to a few readers about this. Here are eleven traditions they believe trap Americans in the past. Which traditions do you think people are hanging onto way longer than they should?
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Using the imperial system
Whenever you ask an American how tall they are, they’ll usually tell you their measurements in feet & inches. Meters are practically non-existent here. The same goes for recipes with cups & teaspoons, or the weather in Fahrenheit only. Most of the world changed to metric decades ago. But the USA still clings to the older system & keeps its measurements stuck in the past.
Greek college life
Frats & sororities still run on traditions that were first created in the 1800s. These include secret handshakes and old-fashioned titles, as well as initiation events & chants, neither of which has really changed in over a century. New students who join must go through pledging. Then, they’ll end up in houses designed around ideas from the past. Is that really right anymore?
Sweet sixteen parties
Turning sixteen often involves having a big party & sometimes getting a car. This whole tradition started when driving at sixteen was a sign of independence. But it’s not that way anymore. In fact, licensing laws are different now, but some families still throw themed parties with candle ceremonies & over-the-top entrances. They’re stuck repeating an outdated formula.
Debutante balls
Over in the South, young women still walk across stages in white gowns & long gloves as part of debutante balls. All the escorts & bows, even the dance steps, are the same as they were generations ago. The programs and reception lines also follow the same old etiquette rules. However, a lot of this seems rather sexist nowadays, so why do we still have them?
Powderpuff football games
Plenty of high schools still run powderpuff football every fall, where the girls play a quick flag game & the boys wear cheer uniforms. The whole thing is played for laughs. But it plays into stereotypes from the 1940s about who belongs on the field & who belongs on the sidelines.
Car-centric parades
You’ll find Main Street parades are still packed with cars pulling floats & Shriners in tiny vehicles. The basic structure hasn’t changed in decades, although maybe it should. Traditions like this suggest that cars should be at the center of everything, including our celebrations. To some people, it may be time to move on to more environmentally friendly methods.
Gender-based homecoming rituals
Quite a few schools feature dances that run on an old script. Boys are supposed to do the asking & girls are expected to say yes or no, with flyers and even announcements treating this like it’s normal. Sadly, this corners students into roles that don’t fit anymore. Yet we keep the pattern going, year after year.
Standing army recruiters at high school events
It’s normal for army recruiters to set up tables at pep rallies or football games. They’ll hand out lanyards & brochures while they talk about enlistment being the “next step” after graduation. Originally, this practice began during wartime America. Yet it hasn’t really changed and gives students a view of adulthood where the military is the default option.
Marriage proposals tied to sporting events
You’ve probably seen one or two proposals at a sporting event. You know the kind, one with a guy on one knee, the camera zooms in & the crowd roars. It’s been happening at sports matches for decades. Unfortunately, this tradition keeps marriage as a big, public performance & encourages old-school gender roles, while also erasing any sense of privacy.
Native American mascots at school games
It sounds strange, but there are still schools calling themselves “Indians” or “Braves.” Fans chop the air & wear fake feathers. Most of these mascots were created a century ago, and even when Native groups speak out, they’re usually just told that it’s “tradition.” That’s an excuse. Keeping these mascots locks schools into stereotypes that we should’ve dropped years ago.
Singing minstrel-style songs at campfires
A few summer camps continue handing down songs with roots in minstrel shows or plantation tunes. Sure, they might change the lyrics. But they never explain the background & counselors continue passing them around like they’re campfire fun. They keep kids singing material tied to racist traditions. Perhaps we should update the songbook for today.
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