10 Traditions That Have Changed Drastically Over the Years

Some traditions have changed so much over time that if our ancestors saw them today, they’d probably need a moment (or a decade) to process them.

Sophia Zapanta
March 13, 2025
4 min read

10 Traditions That Have Changed Drastically Over the Years — Dominic Xavier on Pexels

Traditions evolve as society shifts, sometimes for the better and sometimes just for the weirder. From how we celebrate holidays to how we date, many customs have been reshaped by technology, culture, and modern attitudes. Let’s take a look at 10 traditions that have changed so much they’d probably leave our great-great-grandparents completely baffled.

1. Marriage Proposals

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Once upon a time, a man had to ask a woman’s father for permission before getting down on one knee. Now, couples discuss marriage openly, and proposals have turned into viral-worthy events featuring flash mobs, drones, and sometimes even skydiving. The whole “surprise factor” isn’t as significant anymore because many people design their own rings and plan proposals together. While it’s still romantic, the modern proposal is more about partnership than tradition.

2. Weddings

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Weddings used to be simple affairs, often held at home or in a small church, with a handful of close family and friends. Now, they’re extravagant, Instagram-worthy productions that can cost as much as a house and involve everything from choreographed dances to destination venues in exotic locations. The wedding industry has turned what was once a heartfelt moment into a high-stakes social media event.

3. Holiday Celebrations

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Holidays used to be about togetherness, homemade meals, and traditions passed down through generations. Now, they’re commercialized to the max, with people spending more time shopping for the perfect gifts than actually celebrating. For example, Halloween has gone from kids in homemade costumes knocking on doors to adults spending hundreds on elaborate outfits and partying until sunrise.

4. Dating

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Back in the day, dating meant nervously calling someone on their family’s landline and hoping their dad didn’t pick up. Now, dating is as easy as swiping left or right, with endless options available at the touch of a screen. Instead of love letters or awkward first dates at diners, people “meet” via DMs, emojis, and video calls before ever seeing each other in person. Courtship used to be a slow burn—now, it’s a fast scroll.

5. Parenting Styles

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Once upon a time, parenting was all about tough love, strict rules, and “go play outside until dinner.” Today, parenting involves gentle conversations, tracking apps, and entire books on how to raise a child without hurting their feelings. Helicopter parents hover, snowplow parents clear obstacles, and free-range parents try to bring back some old-school independence. One thing’s certain—no one’s getting away with sneaking out like they did in the ‘80s.

6. Communication

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Writing letters used to be the main way people stayed in touch, and waiting for a reply could take weeks. Then came the telephone and emails, and now, people get annoyed if their text isn’t answered within three minutes. Emojis and GIFs have replaced long conversations; somehow, “seen” notifications have become the most anxiety-inducing feature ever invented. Ironically, while we can reach anyone instantly, deep conversations seem harder.

7. Work Culture

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A job used to mean a 9-to-5, five days a week, in a cubicle with a strict dress code. Now, remote work, side hustles, and digital nomad lifestyles have made work-life balance a different game. People are working in pajamas, taking Zoom calls from the beach, and quitting jobs that don’t value them—something unheard of a few decades ago.

8. Education

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Classrooms once meant chalkboards, textbooks, and rows of students listening to a teacher at the front of the room. Today, kids learn from iPads, take online classes, and even have AI tutors answer homework questions. College degrees used to be the golden ticket to success, but now, many people opt for online courses, boot camps, or skip higher education altogether. How we learn has changed so much that even spelling tests feel outdated—after all, who needs spelling skills when autocorrect exists?

9. Fashion Trends

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Once, people dressed based on societal expectations—corsets, suits, and polished shoes were the norm. Now, comfort rules, with sneakers at weddings, pajamas in public, and Crocs somehow making a comeback. The elite no longer dictates fashion; it’s influenced by influencers, social media, and viral trends that can change overnight. The result? It’s a chaotic mix of decades clashing in a way that somehow just works.

10. Funerals

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Funerals used to be solemn, black-clad affairs with strict traditions and quiet mourning. Now, many people opt for “celebrations of life,” where attendees wear bright colors, share funny stories, and sometimes even play the deceased’s favorite music. Some people choose eco-friendly burials, turning ashes into diamonds or even launching remains into space. Mourning is still personal, but how we say goodbye has become as unique as the lives we celebrate.