Lisa O
Times change, and so do the things we consider normal. Baby Boomers (aka people born between 1946 and 1964) grew up in an era where safety regulations were few, the social norms were different, and they had many habits that would raise eyebrows today. Here are 15 things Boomers did that would never fly in today’s world.
Riding in Cars Without Seatbelts
Seatbelts were either non-existent or stuffed between the seats, gathering dust. Many cars didn’t even have them in the back. Kids would stand up in moving cars, hang out of windows, or, if they were lucky, ride in the “way back” of a station wagon—basically an open trunk. Today, the idea of driving without a seatbelt is not only illegal but unthinkable.
Smoking Everywhere—Even Indoors
Lighting up in an office meeting? Completely normal. Smoking on a plane? Totally fine. And believe us when we say there were even cigarette ads featuring doctors promoting their “favorite brand.” Restaurants, hospitals, and even schools had designated smoking areas. Today, the idea of someone puffing away in a public space feels like a scene from a different world.
Drunk Driving Was More Common
Drunk driving was more common, and penalties were much less severe. Many bars even had drive-thru windows, and “one for the road” wasn’t just a saying—it was a reality. While some awareness existed, it wasn’t until stricter DUI laws and public campaigns (like Mothers Against Drunk Driving in the 1980s) that people really started taking it seriously. Today, drunk driving is heavily penalized and socially unacceptable.
Leaving Kids Unattended for Hours
It was normal for kids to walk home from school, let themselves in with a key, and spend hours alone before their parents got back from work. No phones, no GPS tracking—just a hope that they’d be home when dinner was ready. Today, parents who leave young kids alone for too long might face legal trouble for neglect.
Corporal Punishment in Schools
A misbehaving student could get smacked with a ruler or even paddled in front of the class. Some schools had designated “punishment paddles” hanging on the wall as a warning. Parents rarely complained—many even encouraged it! Today, corporal punishment is banned in most schools and seen as cruel and outdated.
Letting Kids Wander the Neighborhood Alone
Boomer kids left the house in the morning and didn’t return until the streetlights came on. No check-ins, no tracking apps—just pure freedom. They rode bikes for miles, played in abandoned lots, and talked to strangers without fear. Today, parents who allow this could be reported to child services, and most kids are closely supervised.
Making Collect Calls from Payphones
If a kid needed a ride home, they’d call collect and say their name as fast as possible: “Mompickupmeatmall!” before the operator could charge. If their parents got the message, they’d decline the charges and head out to get them. With cell phones everywhere, the concept of collecting calls is practically extinct.
Hitchhiking Without Fear
Need a ride? Just stick your thumb out! Hitchhiking was a normal way to travel, and many Boomers have stories of cross-country adventures with total strangers. People trusted each other more—or at least thought they did. Today, thanks to true crime documentaries and safety concerns, hitchhiking is almost unheard of.
Workplace Harassment Was Brushed Off
Inappropriate comments, jokes, and discrimination were often brushed off as “just the way things were.” Many women had little recourse for workplace harassment, and reporting it could even cost them their jobs. Today, HR policies and legal protections have made professional environments safer and more inclusive.
Using Lead Paint and Asbestos
Boomers grew up in homes covered in lead paint and filled with asbestos insulation. No one thought twice about kids chewing on lead-painted crib railings or playing on asbestos-laced floors. It wasn’t until years later that the severe health risks, like poisoning and lung disease, became widely known. Now, both materials are banned in construction and home products.
Drinking Water from the Garden Hose
Kids would drink straight from the garden hose, and no one thought twice about it. While still common in some places, today’s parents are more cautious about potential contaminants from old hoses or pipes. Concerns about bacteria, lead, and plastic chemicals make bottled or filtered water the go-to choice.
Letting Babies Sleep on Their Stomachs
For decades, doctors recommended putting babies to sleep on their stomachs, believing it would prevent choking. Baby blankets and stuffed animals were also common in cribs. Now, experts say that back-sleeping reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and cribs are kept bare for safety.
Driving Without Car Seats for Babies
Before car seats were required, parents would simply hold their babies in their laps while driving. Some would place them in baskets on the seat or let toddlers roam the backseat freely. Shockingly, car seats were originally marketed as a way to keep kids from moving around, not for safety. Today, strict car seat laws ensure child passengers are properly secured.
Not Wearing Sunscreen
Tanning oil was the go-to skin product, and the goal was to get as bronzed as possible. People would spend hours baking in the sun, often using baby oil for an even deeper tan. Sunburns were seen as no big deal. Now, with increased awareness of skin cancer risks, sunscreen is a daily necessity for many.
Sharing Too Much Personal Information in Phone Books
Before the internet, everyone’s home address and phone number were listed in massive phone books. Need to find someone? Just flip a few pages. Stalking risks aside, this level of public information is unthinkable now. With privacy concerns at an all-time high, most people wouldn’t even list their landline (if they still have one).
