These 80s Habits Were Common but Would Now Be Bordering Illegal
Compared to the modern era, the 80s felt like a downright bizarre time. After all, it was filled with neon spandex, cigarette smoke in public spaces, and parenting styles that would make today’s experts shake their heads. However, it all felt pretty normal at the time. Let’s take a closer look at 20 common 80s habits that simply wouldn’t fly today.
Driving Without Seat Belts
Nowadays, we’ve all heard enough horror stories to know the importance of wearing a seatbelt at all times in the car. However, back in the 80s, things were a little different. In fact, most families saw them as optional, and they would often end up buried deep below the seat cushions - forgotten and unused.
Public Smoking
Just 40 years ago, smoking used to be commonplace. People would light up a cigarette regardless of where they were or who they were around. Whether you were on a plane, in a car, or even in a hospital, you wouldn’t be safe from secondhand smoke.
Leaving Kids Alone for Hours
Nowadays, most parents don’t leave their underage children alone at all. However, in the 80s, leaving even toddlers alone for hours on end was pretty normal. All they needed was a good microwave meal and a movie to keep them occupied. At least, that’s what parents thought, anyway.
Drinking From the Hose
Just the thought of drinking out of a dirty hosepipe is enough to make most people cringe. In the 80s, however, this was commonplace. Nobody was concerned about the sanitary aspect of it, as filtered and bottled water was just far too expensive.
No Helmets
It’s safe to say that the world is a lot more, well, safety-focused nowadays. Nobody wants to take the risk of riding a bike or motorcycle without a helmet. In the 80s, on the other hand, many people didn’t even own helmets, let alone wear them.
Playing Outside Until Dark With No Supervision
Nowadays, many families have tracking apps on their phones. In the 80s, there was no such thing. In fact, some children would leave home after breakfast and only return after dark. The parents would have no idea where they were or who they were with, only that they were probably having a good time with friends.
Censorship
One of the biggest changes between the 80s and now is the language we use. Back in the day, slurs weren’t really a thing. People could say what they wanted, regardless of whether or not they hurt anyone's feelings. Nowadays, offensive language can land you in a lot of trouble.
Ultra-Violent Cartoons for Children
Let’s just say that cartoons were a lot more descriptive and graphic back in the day. Publishers weren’t so strict about keeping everything PG.
Smoking in the Car
Smoking was a common habit back in the 80s. As people weren’t so aware of the health risk it posed, they would frequently smoke in their cars with the windows rolled up. This was particularly harmful to children in the car, who had no say on the matter.
Sun Reflectors and Baby Oil
Nowadays, we all know just how harmful sun rays can be. In the 80s, however, sunscreen was optional at best. In fact, many people chose to rub themselves in baby oil instead and use sun reflectors to direct as much sun onto their skin as possible. As you can imagine, this wasn’t the best choice in terms of skincare.
Solo Driving Immediately After Getting a License
Getting your driver's license is a big milestone. However, nowadays, most parents don’t allow their kids to drive alone for quite some time after passing the test. This mostly comes down to safety concerns and a lack of experience. In the 80s, nobody really thought this much into it.
Watching R-Rated Movies as Kids
Violent films, such as RoboCop or The Terminator, were childhood favorites in the 80s. Parents simply let their kids watch whatever they wanted.
Lawn Darts
Back in the day, lawn darts were actually marketed as toys. However, in the late 80s, these sharp-tipped projectiles were finally banned after causing some serious injuries.
Car Saunas
We have all heard horror stories of children and pets being left in the car for hours on end without the windows rolled down. Let’s just say that the car becomes something of a sauna, which can actually be deadly on a hot day. In the 80s, however, people didn’t know any better.
Making Fun of Mental Health
Depression, anxiety, and therapy used to be the punchline of many jokes back in the day. In most cases, they were ignored entirely, as people simply didn’t see them as serious issues.
Hitchhiking
Nowadays, we have all been warned about the dangers of hitchhiking. Even car-sharing apps or taxis are used with caution. In the 80s, however, it was fairly common to simply catch a lift with any stranger who offered.
Unscreened Lyrics
Back in the day, children could listen to and sing along with any lyrics they wanted, without any screening or supervision.
Microwaving Plastic Containers
Name a plastic container, and it was probably microwaved back in the 80s. Nobody knew about BPA or chemical leaching. Instead, if the container didn’t melt, it was perfectly fine to go into the microwave.
Unsupervised Garage Adventures
No matter what dangerous tools were kept in the garage, parents often let their children rummage through it without a second thought. In fact, it was often seen as the perfect location to build a fort or play hide-and-seek! Parental supervision? Well, that was optional at best.
Baby Power on Everything
Baby powder was a hot commodity in the 80s. In fact, it was used for pretty much everything. Rashes, deodorant, freshening up shoes - you name it. Nowadays, the powder has been linked with a few health risks, which is why it is no longer used as much.
