The 1970s were a different time—way before smartphones, safety regulations, and 24/7 social media scrutiny.
People lived more freely (sometimes recklessly), and things that were once completely normal would probably get you fined, cancelled, or outright banned today. From questionable parenting choices to workplace norms that would cause outrage now, the ’70s were wild in ways that might seem unbelievable today. Here are some of the most common things people did during that decade that would never fly now.
1. Smoking literally everywhere
Back in the ’70s, smoking was as common as drinking water. People smoked in restaurants, offices, hospitals, aeroplanes—even inside schools. A thick haze of cigarette smoke was just part of everyday life.
These days, strict smoking bans have been put in place just about everywhere. Lighting up in a public building or workplace would be unthinkable, and smoking on a plane? You’d probably be arrested. The fact that people used to puff away indoors with no second thought is almost unimaginable now.
2. Driving without seatbelts
Seatbelts existed in the ’70s, but actually wearing them was optional for most people. Many cars didn’t even have backseat seatbelts, and parents thought nothing of letting kids roam freely in the car while driving.
Today, strict seatbelt laws, which came into place in the UK in 1983, mean you can get fined if you’re caught without one. Car safety has come a long way, and it’s hard to believe people used to drive around with kids bouncing around in the back seat with no restraints.
3. Letting kids ride in the front seat
Speaking of kids in cars, it wasn’t unusual to see children riding shotgun in the ’70s, even toddlers. No car seats, no booster seats, just tiny humans sitting up front like mini adults. Nowadays, there are strict laws about car seat usage, and kids are required to sit in the back until a certain age. If you put a child in the front seat today without the proper restraints, you’d get a hefty fine (and a lot of judgmental stares).
4. Drinking at work
It wasn’t just acceptable to have a drink at work in the ’70s—it was practically encouraged in some industries. Many offices had bars, and it wasn’t unusual for people to have a whiskey or beer at their desk during lunch.
Fast-forward to today, and drinking on the job is a huge HR violation in most workplaces. Unless it’s a specific work event, alcohol in the office is a big no-go. The thought of cracking open a beer at a desk job now seems almost absurd.
5. Hitchhiking without a second thought
Hitchhiking was a common way to get around in the ’70s, and people thought nothing of sticking their thumb out for a ride. Whether you needed to get to another city or just a few miles down the road, strangers were expected to help out.
Today, thanks to increased awareness of safety risks (and a few too many horror stories), hitchhiking has all but disappeared. The idea of getting into a random person’s car, or picking up a stranger, is enough to make most people shudder.
6. Letting kids roam free with zero supervision
Kids in the ’70s had an incredible amount of freedom. Parents would send them outside in the morning and not expect to see them again until dinner. No cell phones, no check-ins—just a general understanding that they’d be fine.
These days, letting kids wander the neighbourhood unsupervised can lead to serious consequences. Parents can even get reported for neglect if their child is seen alone in public for too long. What was once normal childhood independence is now seen as risky.
7. Giving kids complete strangers’ candy
Trick-or-treating was a much simpler time in the ’70s (though to be fair, it wasn’t very popular here in the UK). However, in general, kids would accept homemade treats from neighbours without a second thought—freshly baked cookies, sweets, etc. No one worried about what was in them.
Now, parents meticulously inspect Halloween candy, and anything homemade from a stranger is immediately tossed. Concerns over safety and food tampering have made the idea of eating unwrapped treats completely taboo.
8. Riding bikes without helmets
In the ’70s, if you saw a kid wearing a helmet while riding a bike, they were probably recovering from an actual injury. Helmets just weren’t a thing—kids rode freely, often doing tricks and stunts with zero protection.
These days, bike helmet laws are common, especially for kids. Most parents wouldn’t dream of letting their child ride without one. Looking back, it’s shocking how many kids survived without serious head injuries.
9. Letting kids ride in the back of vans and trucks
Seeing a bunch of kids riding in the open bed of a pickup truck or in the back of a van with no seats was a totally normal sight in the ’70s. Whether heading to the beach, a camping trip, or just around town, no one thought twice about it.
Now, this is illegal in most places due to obvious safety risks. The idea of flying down the road with nothing but the wind holding you in place is terrifying by today’s standards.
10. Teachers handing out corporal punishment
Paddling and other forms of corporal punishment were not only allowed in schools, but widely accepted. If a kid misbehaved, a teacher or principal might discipline them on the spot with a wooden paddle.
These days, physical punishment in schools is banned in most places, and even raising your voice at a student can be seen as inappropriate. The idea that teachers used to have the authority to physically discipline students seems shocking now.
11. Airline travel that was basically a party
Flying in the ’70s was a completely different experience. People could smoke on planes, walk around freely, and get unlimited free drinks in economy class. Dress codes were common, and passengers were treated like VIPs.
Now, flying is a much stricter experience—seatbelt rules, no smoking, security checks, and minimal complimentary services. The glamour of airline travel has definitely faded in favour of safety regulations.
12. Parents leaving kids in the car while they ran errands
In the ’70s, it wasn’t uncommon for parents to leave their kids in the car while they quickly ran into a store. No one thought of it as dangerous—just a way to save time instead of dragging kids through the supermarket.
Today, leaving a child alone in a car can result in serious legal consequences. With concerns about heatstroke, kidnapping, and general safety, what was once normal is now completely unacceptable.
