20 Totally Normal Things From the ’80s That Would Cause Outrage Now
This list shows everyday things people did in the ’80s that would likely spark outrage today.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
Many habits and social norms from the 1980s would not be acceptable today. Things like riding in a car without seat belts, smoking indoors, or playing rough games in school were once normal. Today, those same things are seen as unsafe or inappropriate.
1. Riding Without Seat Belts
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Wearing seat belts was more of a suggestion than a rule in the 1980s. Kids often rode in the backseat or even in the cargo area of station wagons without any restraint. Today, strict seat belt laws and child safety regulations make that kind of freedom unthinkable.
2. Indoor Smoking Everywhere
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Smoking inside restaurants, offices, and even airplanes was a daily norm. Today, indoor smoking laws and public health awareness would never allow such widespread habits.
3. Dodgeball in School Gyms
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Schools embraced games like dodgeball, even targeting younger kids. In today’s environment, concerns about bullying and safety mean such games are now discouraged or banned.
4. Prank Calling with Landlines
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Prank calling strangers was a favorite pastime for kids during the ’80s. Without caller ID or tracking, it felt harmless and funny. Now, it can lead to legal trouble and is often considered harassment.
5. Spanking in Classrooms and Homes
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Physical punishment was considered a normal form of discipline both at home and in school. Teachers could use paddles, and parents rarely faced consequences for spanking. Today, many people see it as abusive and damaging to a child’s well-being.
6. Gender-Specific Classes at School
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Boys were often assigned to shop class while girls took home economics. These classes reinforced old gender roles and expectations. Now, most schools offer students the freedom to choose based on interest rather than gender.
7. Supervised Younger Kids as Classroom Monitors
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Older students were trusted to watch younger kids during lunch or recess without adult supervision. It was seen as a way to teach responsibility. Today, schools would face backlash for putting minors in charge of other minors without proper oversight.
8. Smoking Peanut Butter as a Snack (Yes, Really)
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Kids in the ’80s ate snacks that were loaded with sugar, chemicals, and artificial flavors. Items like chocolate-covered peanut butter sticks were everyday treats. Today, most of those snacks are either banned from schools or heavily criticized by nutritionists.
9. Loaning Vacuum Cleaners Was Legal Drama
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Some cities had strange laws that made it illegal to lend your vacuum cleaner to a neighbor. While rarely enforced, these laws still existed on the books. Now, such rules seem absurd and out of place in a more modern world.
10. Checking Fire Hydrants an Hour Before a Fire
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One bizarre regulation required hydrants to be inspected an hour before a fire started. Obviously, predicting a fire is impossible, but rules like these were somehow real. Today, emergency preparedness relies on regular maintenance, not outdated laws.
11. No Shoes, Just Roller Skates Indoors
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It was common to roller skate inside buildings, including malls and even school hallways. Kids loved the freedom, and adults rarely stopped them. These days, safety rules and property concerns would shut that down fast.
12. Crossing Streets on Your Hands
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Believe it or not, it was once illegal in some places to cross a street while doing a handstand. It sounds silly, but laws like that actually existed. Most people today would laugh at the idea and question how it was ever necessary.
13. Playing Pac-Man, Koosh Balls, and Magic 8-Balls
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Arcades and toy stores were full of quirky games and novelty toys that kids played with for hours. There were few restrictions on what was marketed or how it was used. Now, child safety standards and digital devices have changed how kids play entirely.
14. Films with Controversial Artwork
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Movie posters and album covers often featured bold, suggestive, or even violent imagery. Back then, it was considered part of artistic freedom. Today, those same visuals might be flagged or banned due to content guidelines.
15. Smoking as a Cultural Norm in Ads and Public Life
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Tobacco ads were everywhere, and smoking was often shown as glamorous or sophisticated. Celebrities smoked on camera, and few questioned its influence. Now, public health campaigns have pushed back hard, and those ads are long gone.
16. Neighborhood Freedom without Adult Oversight
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Children often spent the whole day playing outside without any adult supervision. Parents expected kids to come home when the streetlights turned on. Today, most parents would never allow that level of independence.
17. Using Ashtrays and Making Crafts in School
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School art projects included making clay ashtrays or cigarette holders for parents. It was seen as a thoughtful and fun gift idea at the time. Today, such projects would be completely unacceptable in a school setting.
18. Gender-Segregated Sports Teams
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Boys and girls were often separated into different teams, even for gym class games. The idea was that boys were stronger and more competitive. Now, there is more focus on inclusion and allowing everyone to participate equally.
19. Mass Distribution of Processed Foods
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School lunches in the ’80s featured heavily processed items like pizza squares, canned fruits, and mystery meat. These meals were cheap and easy to prepare. Today, schools are under pressure to provide healthier and more balanced options.
20. Unregulated Public Pranks and Mischief
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Kids used to play harmless pranks around the neighborhood like ding-dong ditch or toilet papering trees. These activities were seen as part of growing up. Now, many of them are treated as vandalism or an invasion of privacy.