1. Riding in Cars Without Seatbelts
Back in the ’70s, seatbelt laws weren’t really a thing, and most people didn’t think twice about piling into a car without buckling up. Kids rode in the front seat, back seat, or even the cargo area of station wagons without a care in the world. Some parents placed babies in flimsy plastic carriers that weren’t strapped in, basically turning them into projectiles in a sudden stop. If there weren’t enough seats, kids just sat on each other’s laps, and no one batted an eye. Pickup trucks were even wilder—kids would ride in the open bed, letting the wind whip through their hair says MSN.
Looking back, it’s a miracle more people weren’t seriously hurt. Cars didn’t even come with proper child safety seats, and the few that existed weren’t regulated. Seatbelt laws didn’t start becoming common until the ’80s, but even then, a lot of people ignored them. Today, the idea of letting a child ride around without a seatbelt seems reckless, but back then, it was just normal.
2. Smoking Everywhere—Even Indoors
Smoking was so common in the ’70s that it was allowed pretty much everywhere, including restaurants, airplanes, and even hospitals. A thick cloud of cigarette smoke hovered over diners while families ate, and ashtrays were a standard fixture on every table. People lit up in waiting rooms, grocery stores, and even classrooms, with teachers puffing away during lessons. If you flew on a plane, you’d be stuck breathing secondhand smoke for hours because smoking sections didn’t really do much shares Daily Mail.
Even at home, parents smoked in the house and in the car with the windows rolled up, filling the air with smoke. Kids were constantly surrounded by it, whether they liked it or not. No one really thought about the long-term health effects, and if someone coughed, they were just told to get used to it. Today, the idea of smoking inside a hospital or school seems completely absurd, but back then, it was just how things were.
3. Letting Kids Roam Free All Day
Parents in the ’70s had a completely different approach to supervision, or rather, the lack of it. Kids were sent outside in the morning and weren’t expected back until dinnertime. There were no cell phones, no check-ins, and definitely no GPS tracking. Parents just assumed their kids were fine, even if they spent the day riding bikes miles away, climbing trees, or playing in abandoned lots. If a kid got hurt, they either figured out how to deal with it or found an adult who could help adds BuzzFeed.
The general rule was that as long as you were home before the streetlights came on, you wouldn’t get in trouble. If you were late, you might get a scolding, but no one panicked or called the police. Today, the idea of letting young kids roam unsupervised would raise serious concerns, but back then, it was just how childhood worked. Kids had freedom, independence, and a lot of scraped knees to show for it.
4. Drinking Water Straight from the Hose
In the ’70s, if kids got thirsty while playing outside, they didn’t go inside for a bottle of water—they just drank straight from the garden hose. No one worried about germs, chemicals, or weird-tasting water. The rubbery, slightly metallic taste was just part of the experience. On a hot summer day, waiting for the first few seconds of warm water to pass before getting that icy-cold refreshment was a ritual.
Parents didn’t worry about water quality or bacteria, and no one thought about filtering it. It was just convenient, and everyone did it. These days, most parents would cringe at the thought of their kids drinking unfiltered hose water, but back then, it was just how kids stayed hydrated. And somehow, everyone survived.
5. Playing With Dangerous Toys
Toy safety regulations in the ’70s were pretty lax, which meant kids played with some shockingly dangerous things. Lawn darts—basically giant metal spears—were sold as a fun backyard game until they were banned after too many injuries. Chemistry sets included real chemicals that could actually cause explosions if mixed wrong. Some toys had tiny parts that were obvious choking hazards, and others had sharp edges or projectiles that could take out an eye.
Parents didn’t think much of it, assuming kids would just be careful. If a toy broke and became even more dangerous, kids either kept playing with it or tried to fix it with duct tape. Today, toy recalls happen at the slightest sign of danger, but in the ’70s, kids were expected to use common sense and deal with any injuries that happened along the way.
6. Riding Bikes Without Helmets
In the ’70s, kids rode their bikes everywhere, but one thing they didn’t wear? Helmets. No one really thought about head injuries, and helmets were mostly for professional cyclists or motocross riders. Kids zoomed down streets, jumped off ramps, and raced their friends without any protective gear. If someone crashed and scraped up their knees, they just got back on and kept riding.
Parents didn’t worry about concussions or long-term effects. A bad crash might result in a trip to the doctor, but most of the time, kids just walked it off. Today, helmets are required in many places, and kids are taught early on to wear them for safety. But back then, riding without a helmet was just how things were done.
7. Going to the Airport Without Security Checks
Flying in the ’70s was a completely different experience. There were no long security lines, no taking off your shoes, and no strict rules about liquids. Families could walk right up to the gate without a ticket, and you could bring pretty much anything on a plane. Some people even carried pocket knives or full meals without anyone stopping them.
The idea of a TSA screening process didn’t exist, and boarding was fast and easy. There were also no reinforced cockpit doors, meaning pilots would sometimes leave the door open mid-flight. It was a more relaxed time, but looking back, it’s wild to think about how little security there was. Today, the strict rules and screenings make air travel much safer, but the ease of flying in the ’70s is something people definitely miss.
8. Hitchhiking Without Fear
Hitchhiking was a totally normal way to get around in the ’70s. If someone needed a ride, they just stuck out their thumb, and sooner or later, a stranger would pick them up. It wasn’t just for drifters or adventurers—regular people did it too. Teenagers, college students, and even families sometimes relied on hitchhiking to get where they needed to go.
People trusted each other more back then, or at least they thought they could. Stories of hitchhiking gone wrong weren’t as widely known, and the dangers weren’t constantly on the news. Today, the idea of getting into a car with a stranger sounds terrifying, but back then, it was just another way to travel.
9. Leaving Kids in the Car While Running Errands
In the ’70s, it was completely normal for parents to leave their kids in the car while they ran into the store. There were no laws against it, and most people didn’t think it was dangerous. Kids would sit in the backseat, playing with the radio, messing with the windows, or just waiting patiently. If they got bored, they might crawl into the front seat and pretend to drive. Parents weren’t rushing through the store in a panic—they just took their time, assuming their kids would be fine.
No one worried about overheating, car theft, or the dangers of leaving a child unattended. It was just considered a practical way to run errands without dealing with fussy kids in the checkout line. Today, leaving a child alone in a car, even for a few minutes, can lead to serious consequences, but in the ’70s, it was just part of daily life.
10. Letting Strangers Babysit Without Background Checks
Finding a babysitter in the ’70s was a casual process. Parents didn’t do background checks or ask for references—they just trusted whoever was available. Sometimes, a teenage neighbor or an older sibling of a friend would be put in charge. If no one else was around, parents might even leave their kids with a near-stranger they had just met. Babysitters didn’t go through training or learn CPR; they just needed to keep the kids alive until the parents came home.
Most of the time, kids were left to entertain themselves while the babysitter watched TV or talked on the phone. There were no nanny cams or check-in calls—parents just assumed everything was fine. Today, parents go through an extensive vetting process before hiring a babysitter, but back then, it was a much more relaxed system.
11. Drinking Soda All Day Long
In the ’70s, no one worried about how much sugar kids were consuming. Soda was an all-day beverage, not just a treat. Kids drank it with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it wasn’t unusual for parents to give toddlers sips of their own soda. There were no concerns about cavities or obesity—people just thought of it as a fun, refreshing drink. Schools even had vending machines stocked with sugary sodas, and no one saw a problem with kids grabbing one during the day.
Parents didn’t think twice about letting kids drink multiple cans in a row. There were no diet trends or concerns about artificial sweeteners; it was just part of everyday life. Today, parents carefully monitor their kids’ sugar intake, but back then, a cold soda was just a normal part of being a kid.
12. Watching Whatever Was on TV—No Matter the Rating
There were no parental controls in the ’70s, and kids watched whatever was on TV, no matter how inappropriate. Reruns of old westerns, action movies, and even horror films played during the day, and no one worried about violence or bad language. If something scary came on, kids either covered their eyes or dealt with the nightmares later. There were no content warnings or ratings on the screen—parents just assumed kids could handle it.
Even commercials were questionable, with cigarette ads, risqué perfume commercials, and violent toy promotions airing during kids’ programming. No one was screening what kids were watching, and there was no pausing or rewinding. Today, parents have strict controls over what their kids watch, but back then, it was all fair game.
13. Eating TV Dinners on Trays in Front of the TV
Dinner time in the ’70s often meant heating up a TV dinner and eating it while watching a show. These prepackaged meals, complete with mystery meat, mashed potatoes, and a sad little vegetable, were a staple in many households. Instead of gathering around the dinner table, families would pull out TV trays and eat in the living room. Kids loved the novelty of having their own tray, and no one complained about the quality of the food.
There was no concern about processed ingredients or sodium levels—convenience was king. Parents liked that they didn’t have to cook, and kids liked the tiny compartments separating each food. Today, many families focus on fresh, home-cooked meals, but in the ’70s, a TV dinner in front of the screen was just a normal night.