May You Live in Interesting Times
Talk to some people who were there and they’ll make the 1970s sound like a paradise – but that’s nostalgia talking. The 1970s had political turmoil, high gas prices, and plenty of crime. It was tough, and it made for tough people. Let’s take a look at all the things in the ‘70s that are mindblowing looking back.
No Air Conditioning in Most Homes
Summer in the '70s could feel brutal because central air wasn’t common. Many families relied on box fans and open windows to survive sweltering heat waves. It goes without saying that the high heat made tempers fray and families argue.
Gas Shortages Made Driving a Headache
During the oil crisis, people waited in massive lines just to fuel up, and sometimes stations ran out altogether. You had to plan trips carefully and keep an eye on license plate rules. It was a difficult time for those to whom driving meant freedom.
You Had to Get Up to Change the Channel
TV remotes weren’t standard yet, so changing the channel meant physically getting up and turning a clunky dial. And with only a handful of channels, your options were limited anyway. Kids today don’t understand how good they have it with Netflix.
Long-Distance Calls Were Expensive
Calling Grandma in another state wasn’t cheap. Long-distance phone calls were priced by the minute, so families kept them short and sweet. The idea of being able to call someone via the internet (which hadn’t been invented yet) was a distant dream.
Cars Were Less Safe
Seat belt laws weren’t in place yet in the ‘70s. Kids bounced around in the backseat or rode in someone’s lap, which of course would never fly today. People can and did die in unsafe cars back in the day – today’s drivers have it lucky.
Everything Took Longer Without the Internet
Need to write a history essay for school? Better head to the library and hope the encyclopedia wasn’t out of date. Want to pay a bill? You gotta mail it. Shopping? Go to multiple stores. Life was slower because everything took more effort. It’s impossible to state how much the internet revolutionized things.
Kids Were Left Alone a Lot
Latchkey kids were the norm. Parents worked, and kids came home to empty houses. They couldn’t call their parents, because cell phones hadn’t been invented yet. Independence was great, but it also meant facing bullies, busy roads, or household accidents without much help around.
Home Chores Were a Real Workout
Dishwashers barely existed in the ‘70s, laundry meant hanging clothes out to dry, and vacuum cleaners hurt your back to use. “Housewife” work took serious time and energy. If your mom ever complains about how hard she had it in the ‘70s, she’s not kidding.
Fashion Wasn’t Comfortable
Sure, people in the ‘70s were serving looks, but it came at a cost. Polyester wasn’t exactly breathable, and platform shoes were an ankle sprain waiting to happen. Even jeans were stiff and needed serious breaking in. Today’s fashion isn’t quite as wild but it’s easier.
Food Took Time to Make
There was no DoorDash, no microwave meals as we know them, and “fast food” wasn’t always cheap or nearby. Most meals were made from scratch, which meant a lot of time spent chopping, stirring, and just plain waiting. Your mom spent all day making sure you were well-fed.
Smoking Was Everywhere
It’s easy to forget just how accepted smoking was. People lit up in restaurants, offices, airplanes, you name it. Even if you didn’t smoke, you couldn’t escape the haze. Secondhand smoke was a part of daily life, and no one really talked about how harmful it was back then.
Inflation Was Crushing
The economy in the ’70s was a mess. Prices rose fast, wages didn’t keep up, and interest rates were through the roof. Groceries, gas, and homes got more expensive, seemingly overnight. It was a really difficult time for growing families.
Medical Care Was Less Advanced
Getting sick in the ‘70s meant fewer treatment options, longer waits, and more guesswork. MRIs didn’t exist yet, and cancer treatments had poorer outcomes compared to today. Doctors did their best, of course, but it’s amazing how much technology helped them work.
Crime Rates Were Higher
The ‘70s saw a sharp rise in crime. Muggings, burglaries, and car thefts were common in many cities – but that’s not even getting into the rise of serial killers. Ted Bundy was the ‘70s and his crimes still haunt the United States.
There Was Less Support for Mental Health
Talking about mental health just wasn’t done in the ‘70s. Depression and anxiety were brushed off, and therapy carried a heavy stigma. People were expected to “tough it out” and shut up about their problems. Needless to say, this had a terrible effect on society.
