It’s difficult to avoid experiencing a twinge of nostalgia for the more carefree era of the 1970s and 1980s in today’s hectic and fast-paced culture.
The days I spent riding my bike, the wind in my hair, and the world in front of me are still very clear in my mind. As we walked freely and created memories with friends, my mother’s admonition to “be home before it gets dark!” reverberated in the background.
Those were really unique moments!
And, you know, back then, people did communicate with one another. Meaningful conversations took place, and encounters frequently took place in person rather than on screens.
Despite their flaws, the 1970s seem like a glorious age in contrast to the dystopian nightmare we occasionally find ourselves in today.
It’s critical to acknowledge how friendships and relationships have evolved from the 1970s to the present as we examine their development. Come along with me as we examine the changing dynamics of friendship, love, and the ties that bind us together while emphasizing the sentimental aspects that made the past so memorable.
The 1970s were a decade characterized by a kaleidoscope of ups and downs. Saturday mornings were spent watching your favorite cartoons, and the air was filled with the fresh smell of newly cut grass.
People gathered together to enjoy live musical performances in the evenings. Weekend amusement peaked at drive-in movies, and the distinctive sound of dial telephones was frequently used for discussion.
And who could overlook the banana bikes that dotted our neighborhoods or the bright avocado green kitchen appliances? The decade’s strength and style were on full display as the muscle cars sped by. I would be more than happy to go back to those times.
Let’s now examine how relationships have changed between the 1970s and the present.
1. Styles of Communication
The majority of relationship contact in the 1970s took place via landlines or in person.
Instant messaging and texting were unheard of concepts. In order to communicate their thoughts or special occasions over the phone, couples frequently penned letters.
Around 95% of houses now had phones, and during this decade, touch-tone phones started to take the place of the outdated rotary types, which made calls a little more efficient and far less annoying.
I’ve heard that until the night rate became available, my family didn’t communicate much with our distant cousins because phone charges were so high in the 1970s. During the day, a ringing phone usually signaled bad news.
Nowadays, couples may connect regardless of distance thanks to social media, texting, and video conversations, which enable instantaneous communication. Due to the ease with which tone and intent can be misunderstood in digital media, this has increased communication as well as occasionally misinterpretation.
2. Dating customs and conventions
In the past, having strong social skills was essential if you wanted to date.
Imagine, for instance, having the courage to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger! According to some, dating was easy in those days; you could meet your soulmate almost anywhere, including at work, school, or through friends. Yes, even in the smokey atmosphere of pubs and clubs.
It was almost a given to exchange phone numbers, and you had to call them and hope for the best if you wanted to arrange anything. You just need plain old-fashioned nerve, no swiping!
Dating applications like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have completely changed the way people meet these days. In the 1970s, dating frequently involved traditional roles, with men usually starting dates and covering the cost of meals. This is absolutely not the case anymore!
3. Commitment and attitudes
Additionally, the idea of commitment has changed. Marital satisfaction appeared to be at its peak in the early 1970s, when a startling 70% of married men and 67% of married women said they were extremely satisfied in their unions.
Marriage was highly valued as a major life milestone in those days.
Divorce was less prevalent, albeit it was starting to increase, and young couples were more likely to marry. More young people nowadays place a higher value on career advancement and personal fulfillment.
Living together before to marriage has also grown commonplace; many couples choose to do so before committing to one another for the rest of their lives or beginning a family.
4. Roles of gender and equality
During this time period, the feminist movement was quite important. Even while the 1970s had its share of positive moments, women’s rights still had a long way to go. Back then, it was somewhat unusual for women to work outside the home. They were frequently referred to as “housewives” or “homemakers,” and this was seen to be their main social function. In the home, roles were assigned based on sex rather than necessity.
Due to a lack of employment options, many women found themselves in a difficult situation if they broke up with their boyfriends. And if they were parents? Don’t think about it! “Who’s watching the children while you’re at work?” was a common question from employers.
This is one of the reasons why women started to fight for equality, which changed the way people thought about and handled relationships.
The fight for equality is still going strong today, but a wider range of relationship types—such as non-monogamous relationships and LGBTQ+ partnerships—are being recognized.
Additionally, gender roles are more flexible, enabling people to define their relationships not according to conventional norms but rather on respect and cooperation.
5. Did individuals have additional pals?
In my opinion, friendships were more significant in the 1970s than they are now. Just consider this: VCRs were a rare luxury, and there were no PCs, cell phones, CDs, or DVDs.
Car phones were very common in limousines and were very large. Everything was analog; there were no voicemails, cable channels, flat-screen TVs, or answering machines.
And shops open around-the-clock? Ignore it! Only a few petrol stations and the odd 7-Eleven were open all night. All of that made the time spent with friends much more intimate, and I believe it strengthened our relationships. It didn’t really matter how many friends you had back then, unless you were competing for the title of “most popular” in the high school yearbook, of course!
The quality and depth of those friendships were always important to me. Whether it was in a small group or just the two of us, there was something unique about spending time together that made those relationships genuinely significant.
6. The impact of social media
In the 1970s, public displays of affection were largely reserved for private occasions; imagine silent kisses and devious handholding.
It feels like a completely different planet now! These days, discussing significant events in relationships on Facebook and Instagram is our main focus.
However, did you know that the first program that resembled social networking was created in 1978?Friends used the bulletin board system to connect and exchange information. Imagine using a modem—yes, the one that makes those amusing beeping sounds—to dial in. Users could post messages for others to see, share files, and create groups. It resembled the first online gathering place before social media became popular! How awesome is that?
Nowadays, some people claim that “friends” you make on social media aren’t actually friends, much like the people you talk to at a bar.
It’s a little frightening that someone said you could stop using social media for a few months and see how many people notice! On the other hand, it’s also a fantastic and simple way to maintain relationships with family, friends, and former classmates. Social networking is undoubtedly a mixed bag.
7. Awareness of mental health
Lastly, our perspective on relationships has completely changed as a result of the increased understanding of mental health disorders. In the 1970s, discussing mental health was frequently frowned upon, and many found it difficult to communicate their emotional needs.
In those days, there was a great deal of tolerance for insanity, intoxication, and depression, and people frequently self-medicated. Many people were called “idiotic,” “lunatic,” or “insane,” which, to be honest, didn’t assist anyone. It only made the stigma worse.
However, today? It’s a very different situation. Healthy communication, mental health support, and emotional intelligence are all heavily emphasized.
Couples are urged to prioritize their mental health, seek treatment, and have candid conversations about their emotions. To be honest, I believe it’s much better now! Seeing people take mental health seriously and forge closer, more meaningful bonds with one another is encouraging.
That’s it! The friendships of the 1970s offered something unique: genuine bonds, unforgettable get-togethers, and lots of laughter away from the distractions of contemporary life.
There is something about the classic connecting that we can’t help but miss, even though friendships nowadays have their own advantages!
What do you think, then? Did friendships in the 1970s really become any better? Please share your thoughts with me! Remember to share this article on Facebook and let’s discuss it in the comments!
