The world we live in is changing at a rapid pace, with new social norms taking the place of older ones. This is especially true for baby boomers, the generation that grew up between 1946 and 1964—a wholly different era from today. For baby boomers, the ways of the modern world are at odds with what was considered normal or trendy in their time. Here are 15 things associated with baby boomers that would draw eyebrows today.
Smoking Indoors
This may sound outrageous, but baby boomers enjoyed the liberty to smoke whenever and wherever they wanted. They could smoke in places unthinkable for today’s generation—restaurants, offices, airplanes, and even hospitals. Smoking indoors is strictly prohibited today.
Corporal Punishment in Schools
The idea of punishing students for misbehavior finds little support in our times, but back then teachers didn’t spare the rod. Spanking was seen as necessary to instill proper discipline, yet today such practices are not only frowned upon but outright banned in most states. Modern educators favor more constructive disciplinary methods.
Drinking from the Water Hose
With easy access to bottled and filtered water today, few would consider turning to a garden hose to quench their thirst. However, it was quite common for baby boomers to drink straight from the hose, disregarding concerns about contamination or bacteria. They seemed to be more resilient to germs than we are now.
No Helmets
Today, roads are filled with motorcycle riders—adults and kids alike—sporting helmets as required by strict safety laws. In contrast, baby boomers often rode bikes, skateboards, and motorcycles without helmets since it wasn’t mandated. They were far more willing to embrace thrills, regardless of the risks.
Leaving the House Unlocked
Security was viewed very differently in the boomers’ era. It was common for them to leave their doors unlocked at night—a practice almost unthinkable today in a world obsessed with alarms, security cameras, and safety systems.
Casual Workplace Harassment
A glimpse into the corporate culture of baby boomers would reveal just how gender-biased it was, with men often getting away with harassment without consequence. Today, any inappropriate behavior—even a joke or offhand remark—would be taken much more seriously in an inclusive work environment.
Hitchhiking
Interacting with strangers is a big no for today’s generation, let alone asking them for rides, so much for the crime documentaries and scary headlines that bombard our TVs. Boomers weren’t as skeptical like us and had the audacity to indulge in cross-country adventures with total strangers.
Embracing Allergic Food
Allergies are much more recognized today, with schools and restaurants being extra cautious about what they serve. Surprisingly, baby boomers didn’t worry about food allergies—enjoying simple pleasures like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches without a second thought.
Strangers as Babysitters
Modern parents now run rigorous background checks and seek ample references before trusting someone with their child. In contrast, baby boomers were comfortable leaving their kids with neighbors, distant relatives, or even unfamiliar teenagers.
Lead Paint and Asbestos Everywhere
Today, lead is a highly regulated chemical due to its severe health hazards, including nerve damage and stunted growth in children. Baby boomers, however, saw lead-based paint and asbestos used freely in homes, schools, and offices—a practice that later contributed to significant health issues.
Letting Kids Roam Unsupervised
Modern parents are too anxious to let their children slip out of sight, using phones and GPS to track their every movement. Boomer kids could roam around miles away from their homes and remain alone for hours at home before their parents returned from work. Today, you will get reported to child services and face charges of child neglect if you let this happen.
Seat Belts for Kids
Seat belts are a must today for all passengers, especially kids, thanks to the strict seatbelt laws, but back then seat belts were more of a formality. Parents could carry their child in their lap, or they could travel in the back of station wagons as seatbelts were supposed to keep children from moving around and not for safety per se. For Baby boomers, the idea of fun exceeded the risk of getting hurt.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving has always been an offense, but the laws were relatively relaxed for baby boomers. This meant that they could drive home after drinking and still escape the notice of police officers on the road without panicking. Today, driving while drunk carries strict penalties and the potential risk of jail time if caught. Baby boomers had more of a reckless streak that made them defy danger.
Personal Information in Phone Books
Remember the earlier days when locating an address or phone number was simply a matter of flipping through pages in heavy phonebooks? Today, private information is no longer public property but strictly guarded, not just to prevent stalking but privacy as a whole has risen to the level of a national concern. The modern era is all about secrecy with high walls protecting our identities.
Making Collect Calls
Baby boomers didn’t have the facility of cheap and instant connectivity like we do, thanks to smartphones in our pockets. An old-school trick they used when in need of a ride was to make a collect call and quickly say “Pick me up!” before hanging up. This call would cost nothing and deliver their message at the same time.
Conclusion
Technological advances and changing social norms mean that much of what baby boomers did has been reduced to memories. The actions cited above are not only socially unacceptable but also bizarre and dangerous by today’s standards, and yet they continue to evoke a sense of nostalgia for baby boomers.
As they say, nothing is constant except change, so it’s only a matter of time before the current generation finds itself reminiscing about good old times like baby boomers.
