Life was quite different back in the ’80s — What was normal then can be unnerving or even shocking now. Our society has evolved a lot & our attitudes toward everyday things have changed. We’ve become more observant and aware of our surroundings – and as a result – we’ve lost certain rituals and habits. This list will take you back in time to witness how different our world has become.
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Smoking Indoors
Smoking was almost ubiquitous in the ’80s — Restaurants had smoking rooms but the smoke didn’t stay in there. People smoked in the office, on the bus & on the plane. For me today – it’s odd that anyone might puff a cigarette in a building. No one now smokes in public and there are regulations against secondhand smoke. Public attitudes have changed too. What used to be tolerated is now prohibited and smokers must go outside to light up.
No Seatbelts
Buckling in wasn’t always the ’80s norm. Almost everyone assumed they didn’t need seatbelts — Children moved around the car when it was moving & there were not many baby seats. The seatbelt law didn’t exist yet. But now you’re supposed to be wearing a seatbelt all the time. We know it saves lives & there are high fines for failing to. The improvement in standards has made vehicles and roads much safer for all.
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Kids Roaming Free
Growing up in the ’80s meant endless unsupervised play. Kids would ride their bikes home, walk around the block or just spend the day at a friend’s house without calling. Parents could trust their children to be home by dinnertime. This freedom is an elusive thing these days — Parents are constantly looking out for their children now. It’s not the same world anymore & and the notion of leaving kids alone looks dangerous.
Driving Without a Hands-Free Device
If you had a car phone in the ’80s, you made calls from it while driving. You dialed while driving, you took a hand off the wheel and talked the whole way home. Car phones were large and nobody had a clue about distracted driving.
Distracted driving is a recognized danger now. People are more wary of these risks and hands-free gadgets are standard for people who need to communicate in the car. You will also get a hefty fine if you use your phone while driving.
Lead-Based Paint
The 80s saw homes and schools filled with lead paint. Nobody knew how bad it was — at least for kids. Young children might be sickened by lead, but few people knew the dangers. Now, lead-based paint is banned. The dangers of lead poisoning have become more widely known & protecting children from this elusive threat is important today.
Blatant Gender Stereotyping
in the ’80s – Men & women had clear-cut roles in TV series, commercials, workplaces & even toys. Boys rode trucks – girls played with dolls. The media routinely presented women as matriarchs or housewives or secretaries. Today – these stereotypes are challenged. There’s more equality and the deconstruction of gender roles. Normal now seems like an outdated notion & we are transitioning towards an inclusive culture.
Unsafe Playground Equipment
Playgrounds in the ’80s were often concrete and metal. The slides were fast and high, the jungle gyms too high and the ground was hard. Kids had bruises and scratches – but it was considered playing. Safety standards were more loose at the time. Today’s playgrounds are safety-focused. The equipment is lower, safer & the ground usually covered with rubber for stumbling. Parents and communities now demand safer playgrounds for kids.
Cruel Animal Treatment
Animals were not generally treated the same way as today. People had wild animals as pets – such as monkeys or exotic birds. Zoos and circuses were a popular pastime. The practice of employing animals as entertainment – such as in certain traditional circuses – was not unusual. There are animal welfare laws today. The possession of wild animals is illegal for the most part and animal use for entertainment is strictly restricted.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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