23 Things That Were Totally Normal in the 1970s in Alabama But Are Unthinkable Now

The 1970s weren’t reckless on purpose. They just didn’t have all the rules we do now.

It was totally normal to light up a cigarette inside a diner, send kids to the store with a note and some cash, and pile five people into the front seat of a pickup truck. In states like Alabama, that was just a regular Tuesday.

So let’s take a stroll down memory lane and laugh, cringe, and maybe even miss a few of the things we used to call normal.

Riding in Cars Without Seatbelts

In the 1970s, many cars didn’t even come with seatbelts in the back seat. Using them just wasn’t a priority.

Kids rode up front, babies sat on laps, and nobody thought twice about it.

Even the bed of a pickup truck was fair game for passengers, totally legal in many places.

Today, not buckling up could land you a ticket. But back then, it was just part of everyday life.

Letting Kids Roam Free All Day

Parents in the ’70s didn’t track their kids with apps or call every hour.

You were told to be home by dinner, and that was that. Kids explored neighborhoods, parks, and empty lots with no adults around.

It wasn’t considered dangerous. It was considered growing up.

Now, letting a child wander alone for hours could raise alarm bells in any community.

Smoking Almost Everywhere

Restaurants, offices, and even airplanes allowed smoking in the 1970s.

Ashtrays were built into walls, tables, and armrests. It was so common that even nonsmokers didn’t complain.

Kids grew up surrounded by secondhand smoke, and it wasn’t unusual to light up in front of them.

Today’s smoke-free culture would have felt restrictive to a 1970s crowd, but it would’ve been a whole lot healthier.

Hitchhiking Was a Totally Acceptable Travel Plan

Sticking out your thumb to get across town—or even cross-country—was seen as a normal thing to do in the ’70s.

Young people especially viewed it as a free and adventurous way to travel.

Accepting rides from strangers wasn’t seen as particularly risky.

These days, hitchhiking feels unsafe for everyone involved, and most Americans wouldn’t dream of it.

Drinking From the Garden Hose

On a hot day in 1974, there was no better way to cool off than a gulp of hose water.

No filters. No plastic bottles. Just turn the spigot and drink.

Nobody talked about chemicals or bacteria. If it was cold, it was good enough.

Today, most parents would point their kids to a filtered pitcher in the fridge instead.

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Riding Bikes Without Helmets

Bike helmets weren’t part of childhood in the 1970s. Most kids didn’t even own one.

They rode barefoot, standing on pedals, or even sitting on handlebars.

Falls and crashes were just part of the fun, and scrapes were almost expected.

Now, helmets are the norm because safety finally caught up with adventure.

Lawn Darts Were Sold as Toys

“Jarts,” or lawn darts, were sharp metal missiles meant for backyard fun.

They were brightly colored and packaged like harmless toys.

In reality, they were dangerous enough to cause serious injuries, and they did.

Eventually, they were banned. But for a while, they were a summer staple in American yards.

Leaving Kids in the Car While Running Errands

Parents in the ’70s didn’t think twice about leaving kids in the car while popping into the store.

Whether the windows were cracked or not, it wasn’t seen as a big deal.

Sometimes older siblings were left in charge. Sometimes, no one was.

Today, this could lead to legal trouble or intervention from authorities.

Playing with Fire Wasn’t Off-Limits

Many kids had access to matches, sparklers, and even small bonfires.

Burning leaves, lighting candles, and playing with lighters was often unsupervised.

It wasn’t considered shocking, just something to be careful with.

These days, fire safety is drilled into children, and parents are far more cautious.

No Helmets for Skateboarding or Roller Skating

Skating in the 1970s was more about style than safety.

Kids roller-skated on sidewalks and skateboarded down steep hills with no pads or helmets.

Wipeouts were common, but rarely taken seriously.

Now, protective gear is a must, especially for younger skaters.

Calling Collect or Using a Payphone

Without cell phones, your communication options were limited in the 1970s. Payphones were everywhere, and calling collect was a go-to solution.

You might squeeze a full sentence into the operator prompt just to save a dime.

“MomIt’sMePickMeUpBye” became a running joke across the country.

Today, payphones are nearly extinct, and calling collect is a relic of the past.

Riding in the Back of the Station Wagon Like It Was a Couch

Station wagons had huge carpeted back areas, and kids turned them into rolling playrooms.

There were no seatbelts. Sometimes there were no seats.

Children sprawled out with toys or stared out the rear window.

It felt like freedom, but it would never pass today’s safety regulations.

Sharing Bathwater with Siblings

Families in the 1970s often shared bathwater to save money and time.

It wasn’t unusual for kids to take turns in the same tub of water, one after the other.

It was a practical solution, especially in larger households.

Today, this would raise eyebrows. Cleanliness expectations have changed a lot.

Having Only One TV in the House

In most homes, there was a single television, and it was in the living room.

Whoever controlled the remote or the dial called the shots for the whole family.

Kids learned to wait their turn or settle for whatever the grown-ups were watching.

Now, everyone expects their own screen, often in their own room.

Wearing Hand-Me-Downs Without Complaints

Hand-me-downs weren’t just common in the ’70s. They were expected.

Older siblings passed down everything from jeans to winter coats, no questions asked.

It wasn’t about fashion. It was about making do with what you had.

Today’s kids often expect new clothes that match their personal style. Back then, you wore what was available.

Getting News from the Evening Broadcast

There was no scrolling through headlines or checking alerts. You waited for the 6 o’clock news.

Families often gathered around the TV to hear what was happening in the world.

The anchors were trusted, the format was fixed, and the pace was slower.

Today, the news is constant, and everyone has an opinion before the facts are even in.

Accepting a Stranger’s Snack or Drink

At a birthday party or a neighborhood block event, kids happily took snacks or drinks from any adult nearby.

Nobody worried about allergies, food safety, or where the treats came from.

Homemade cookies from someone you just met? Totally fine.

Today’s parents would have a lot more questions before letting their kids dig in.

Teachers Using the Paddle at School

Corporal punishment was still allowed in many American schools during the 1970s.

If you misbehaved, getting paddled by a teacher or principal wasn’t unheard of.

Parents often supported it, seeing it as discipline rather than harm.

Today, physical punishment in schools is widely banned and would spark outrage.

Letting Toddlers Ride in Shopping Carts Without Straps

Parents often placed young kids in shopping carts with no safety belts, harnesses, or child seats.

The child just sat there, sometimes standing up or wiggling around with no restraints.

It wasn’t unusual for kids to climb in and out themselves while the parent kept shopping.

Modern stores now offer buckled seats, and letting a toddler ride loose would raise serious concerns.

Sending Kids to Buy Cigarettes for Their Parents

It was perfectly legal in many places for a child to walk into a store with a note and buy a pack of cigarettes.

Clerks rarely asked questions, especially if they knew the family.

Kids often considered it just another errand, like picking up milk or bread.

Today, even attempting this would be illegal and unthinkable.

Using Metal Slides on Hot Days

Playgrounds in the 1970s weren’t designed with comfort or safety in mind.

Slides were often made of metal, and on a sunny day, they could get scorching hot. Kids still went down them, yelping halfway but finishing the ride.

There were no safety mats, just hard ground or gravel at the bottom.

Today’s playgrounds use plastic, rubber flooring, and shade structures. But back then, burns were part of the summer fun.

Having Milk Delivered to Your Door

It was still common in the early 1970s for families to have milk delivered right to their doorstep.

Glass bottles sat outside in wire carriers, sometimes with cream still floating at the top.

The milkman was a familiar part of the neighborhood routine, and you didn’t have to leave the house to stock the fridge.

Now, home milk delivery is rare, and most people grab it themselves at the grocery store.

Wearing No Sunscreen at the Beach

Sunscreen wasn’t part of the beach bag in the 1970s. If anything, people used tanning oil to get darker faster.

Kids and adults alike spent hours in the sun with no protection. A sunburn was seen as temporary, not harmful.