15 Socially Acceptable Things in the 80s That are Not Today
As we continue to learn everyday, things change over time; the 80s were certainly a much simpler time compared to today. Due to the sometimes stupid and dangerous mistakes made in previous generations, safety regulations, amendments, and new policies have all been implemented over the years to protect the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of the general public.
On the other hand, many still view the 80s as more fun. Maybe weird, but you could get away with a lot more back then, such as buying alcohol and cigarettes (for your parents of course, wink), stealing cars and sneaking into abandoned houses. Before technology, many would even argue that life was more adventurous as kids didn’t have cell phones to text or extravagant video games to play with their friends. When their only options were playing outside, they had to be pretty creative.
So here’s a more explicit list of socially acceptable things in the 80s that are not today.
1. Smoking in Public Places
In the 80s, the general public did know about the health effects of smoking, but they didn’t feel as committed to quitting due to the fact that it was still allowed in bars, restaurants, airplanes and other public spaces. Many of us got headaches as it hit us right in the face as soon as we walked in, but it was socially acceptable so there was nothing you could’ve done to stop it.
,In the 90s and early 2000s, smoking and non-smoking sections were introduced to ease some of the tension between the two groups, however, the smell was impossible to get out of the walls, floors, ceiling and all other porous materials. On February 25th, 1990 smoking was banned in airplanes as well as in restaurants during the late 90s and early 2000s. But even today, you can still smell the cigarette odor in older homes and buildings.
2. Discrimination and Racial Profiling
The workplace, movies and general public weren’t nearly as diverse in the 80s as it is today. It was always illegal to discriminate based on age, gender, sexual orientation, race, etc., but minority groups were not nearly as respected or heard as they are today. For example, many gay men were discriminated against for having HIV/AIDS, there was a significant wage gap between white males, females and minorities and minorities wearing hoodies were immediately thought to be gang members.
Of course, this was never right, but it’s nowhere near as bad today. Thanks to peaceful protests, gay rights parades, celebrities (like Cyndi Lauper) and even commercial involvement, discrimination and racial profiling have been reduced substantially. Although the battle is not over yet; these issues are still present in many workplaces, among law enforcement, on social media and in the general public today.
3. Sports Teams Names “Redskins” and “Blackhawks”
Nobody thought twice about the name “Redskins” for the Washington state football team, but now with the protests against racism, this is included as a form a racism. In fact, there was a big controversy on how this name can be offensive to Native Americans, however, others simply view it as a name for the sports team.
To move out of the eyes of scrutiny, the name was eventually changed to the Washington Football Team. Those opposed to the name change are probably more infuriated with the less colorful name (no pun intended), but at least nobody is getting offended.
4. Spanking Kids
In the 60s, 70s, 80s and even 90s, most kids were spanked or even whipped by the belt if they talked back or lied about something. Back then, most people saw it as a regular part of parenting, but today, it’s highly advised to avoid causing any physical harm to your child.
According to the latest research, striking your kids increases their chance of becoming more aggressive as an adult, even physically abusive.
While many parents today still use this method of punishment, most are more likely to smoke and drink. Scientists believe it serves as more of a vindictive release for the parent, but it actually creates more problems for the children. In some situations, parents are even bullying their children as they take advantage of their smaller size.
Thankfully, many parents today understand the consequences of striking their kids, which is why they put them in time out and talk to them afterwards instead.
5. Not Wearing a Seatbelt
Before the tests and studies were completed on the risks and dangers of not wearing a seatbelt, wearing one was more of a recommendation in the 80s. It wasn’t uncommon to find kids playing in the back of a station wagon or on the floor of a car while Dad was driving 60 – 70 miles per hour down the highway. Many drivers and passengers, especially the younger generation, also thought it was inconvenient or uncomfortable to wear one. But as soon as the public realized anyone could lose their lives if not, it became a law.
This also goes alone with children riding in the front seat. The law has become increasingly strict on child safety, stating that any child under the age of 8 or under 4’9” tall must be seated in a properly secured carseat. Any failure to comply will result in a hefty ticket or fine.
6. Live Animals in Circuses
Nobody gave much thought of live animals in the circus back then. Parents just loved taking their kids to see the elephants walk around the ring on their hind legs, tigers jumping through rings of fire and ringmasters sticking their heads in lions’ mouths.
But with the growing popularity of social media, including YouTube, the public was quick to voice their protests. And of course they were right. As they took notice that the animals were abused with whips, tight collars, muzzles, electric prods, bullhooks and other painful tools, animal rights advocates’ would not stand down until it was put to an end.
Nowadays, fewer circuses are still using live animals, especially elephants, in circuses, and the law varies in each state according to how they are used and to what extent. On the other hand, there is still a growing push towards banning these practices, passing new legislation to have them outlawed.
7. Legally Drinking at 18 in Some States
Shortly after ratifying the 21st amendment in December 1933, most states set their purchase ages at 21 because it was also the voting age at the time. Although from 1969 to 1976, some states lowered the age to 18, again because the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1971. As a result, many more states lowered their minimum drinking age in response to the trend between 1972-73.
But as drunk fatalities increased, several states voluntarily raised their purchase ages to 19 from 1976 to 1983. By 1984, Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which required all states to raise their age for purchase and possession to 21 by October 1986 or lose 10% of their federal highway funds. By 1988, all fifty states, as well as Washington D.C. had raised their purchase ages to 21.
9. Levels of Pollution
According to the EPA, levels of pollution have dropped significantly from 1980 to 2019. With major improvements in factors that affect these levels, including vehicle miles traveled, fuel consumption, technological developments and level of industrial activity, it’s no wonder things are better now than before. Their graphs can get pretty detailed as far as which pollutants and how much have affected our ecosystem, however, everything including air quality, carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen, ozone, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide trends have all decreased since 1980.
It’s just unfortunate that the effects of the 80s are happening now, with glaciers melting, ocean levels rising, threats to wildlife and increased flooding. Thankfully, increased awareness of our economic footprint has led to a substantial improvement in becoming more eco-friendly.
9. $3.35 Federal Minimum Wage (US)
Of course, this shouldn’t be surprising that everything goes up over time, but it’s crazy to think that 40 years ago, people were making an amount per hour that would only buy us a candy bar today.
In 1910, the minimum wage increased from $2.90 to $3.10 for all covered, nonexempt workers. Then again in 1981 to $3.35. But despite the increase in inflation, it remained the same until 1990 where it increased to $3.80. Currently, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 as of July 2009. But as of 2021, there have been pushes to more than double it, a solid $15 per hour. Do you think this is fair, given current inflation trends?
10. Buying a Gun Without a Background Check
As you can imagine, it makes sense to conduct a background check on everyone before allowing them to purchase a firearm. Before the Brady Act was passed in 1993, anyone, even the crazies, were allowed to buy a gun with the expectation that they wouldn’t injure or harm anyone. Obviously, after many murders and violent crimes, they couldn’t be trusted. One of them specifically being James Brady, who was shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr. during an attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan on March 30th, 1981.
So to comply with the Brady Act, the FBI created the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which is a centralized system of records made up of three separate national databases. It also contains criminal and mental health history as well as civil orders entered against them that may affect their ability to purchase or own a gun.
11. Prohibiting Marijuana
Until recently, marijuana was always seen as a drug that had negative health effects. Even when potheads argued there is no study to support that theory, it was countered with the plant being a gateway drug. While this may be true, it sparked much controversy over the years.
Oregon became the first state to decriminalize cannabis in 1973. Then California legalized medical marijuana in 1996. This then became a trend as the majority of states followed suit by 2016. In 2012, both Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use.
How was it passed exactly? The biggest factors that influenced were decision was politics and taxes. Democrats tend to favor the drug as opposed to conservative republicans concerned about their mental effects. Also, the sale of recreational marijuana brings many tax benefits for state governments, especially if they are up to their ears in debt.
12. Not Taking Off Your Shoes at the Airport
Before the days when terrorists were attempting to murder passengers and take down planes, nobody had to take off their shoes in the security line at the airport. Things were as simple as removing change from your pockets and putting your stuff through the TSA screeners in the 80s.
But ever since the incident in December 2001 when a terrorist tried to detonate a bomb in his shoe while onboard a flight from Europe to the US, TSA introduced the shoe-removing protocol. There’s also the scanner you have to walk through with your hands held up in sideways V’s that holds everyone up in line. But it must be done!
13. White Majority of Movie and TV Show Characters
Many of us didn’t notice it until now, but the majority of the main characters on all the hit TV shows in the 80s were white. Famous movies with white majority characters were: Sixteen Candles (1984), The Lost Boys (1987), Poltergeist (1982), E.T. (1982), The Outsiders (1983) and so much more. Famous 80s TV shows were: The Golden Girls, Seinfeld, Full House, Who’s Boss?, Roseanne, Cheers…all except for The Cosby Show.
After a number of pushes for diversity and inclusivity, there have been a number of improvements in diversity reports released in 2019. According to Dr. Stacy L. Smith and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, they found huge strides in diversity in 1982, especially from Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians. The percentage of characters from minority groups had also rose from 29.3% in 2017 to 36.3% in 2018. There is still more of a push for more inclusivity in the future. My personal favorite has been Disney’s new movie Soul (2021).
14. Animal Testing
There has been significant controversy over the past few years over animal testing, specifically for makeup products. Back then, animals were caused severe physical and psychological stress, suffering and even died at the end of an experiment. Common procedures wood include
- Oral force-feeding, forced inhalation, skin or injection into the abdomen or muscle
- Ear-notching and tail-clipping for identification
- Prolonged periods of physical restraint
- Food and water deprivation
- Genetic manipulation, such as addition or “knocking out” of one or more genes
- Infliction of pain to study the physiology and treatment
As far as which species is used, it varies from around the world, but the most common are mice, fish, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, farm animals, cats, dogs, non-human primates and more. You can see more on Humane Society International’s website.
Nowadays the awareness of the neglect and abuse of these animals just to get some products approved is growing. Some countries have outlawed the practice altogether, some, including the United States, have imposed strict regulations to hinder animal testing practices and some companies, like CoverGirl and Maybelline, have vowed to discontinue their practices altogether. There is also an alternative stated by The National Research Council in the United States that states “a not-so-distant future in which virtually all routine toxicity testing would be conducted in human cells or cell lines.”
15. Only Skinny Models are Pretty
In the 80s (and even still today) it was a general belief that clothing looked better on skinnier models, sending them down the runway in a catwalk with clothing that’s available in only x-small and small sizes. There were also many types of clothing that were intended to drape and flow, so they would only be worn by petite women.
But for larger women, this killed their confidence as they developed critical conditions like anorexia, bulimia and even suicide as they believed they had to be skinny to feel pretty. As a result, there was severe backlash towards clothing and beauty companies over social media as it affected their sales revenue and brand reputation. But as new brands emerged, they listened to their consumers, using models of all sizes to show that all sizes are beautiful. Others have simply learned quickly, like Dove and Adore Me to change their branding and focus on catering to women of all sizes.
Anything Else?
Surely there were many things that were socially acceptable in the 80s but banned today. If you have any that come to mind, be it from a personal experience or not, I’d love to hear it! Please share it in the comments below!
