8 Things Your Parents Did in the ’60s That Just Don’t Exist Anymore Today
Ever wondered what everyday life looked like for your parents or grandparents in the 1960s? The world they grew up in was filled with habits and routines that would seem totally out of place now.
Some of these things might even make you laugh or shake your head. Let’s take a trip back and see eight things your parents did in the ’60s that just don’t happen anymore.
Riding in the front seat without a seatbelt
People used to hop into the front seat of the car and not even think about buckling up. Seatbelts weren’t a big deal yet, and it wasn’t unusual to see kids and adults riding with nothing holding them in.
Safety laws around seatbelts were just starting to show up. Today, it’s automatic to buckle up before you even start the car.
Kids roaming the neighborhood unsupervised until dark
Kids back then had a kind of freedom that’s hard to imagine now. You could leave the house in the morning and not come back until the streetlights flickered on.
Parents trusted their kids to play with friends, ride bikes, and explore the neighborhood. There was a sense of trust and independence that shaped childhoods in a way that feels rare now.
Smoking inside the house and even in cars
Lighting up a cigarette indoors was completely normal. Parents smoked while cooking, watching TV, or even holding their babies.
It wasn’t just in the house. Smoking in cars with the windows rolled up was common, even with kids in the backseat. Today, this would be unthinkable and is even illegal in some places.
Calling party lines to chat with multiple families
A single phone line often served several families, known as a party line. When the phone rang, you listened for your family’s special ring pattern.
Sometimes, picking up the phone meant joining a group chat with neighbors. You had to follow certain rules, like not listening in on other people’s conversations.
Party lines made phone calls a social event. It was a way to connect with others in your community without leaving your home.
Watching black-and-white TV as prime entertainment
Gathering around a black-and-white TV was a nightly tradition. Most families had just a few channels, and everyone looked forward to their favorite shows.
There was no endless scrolling or streaming. TV time was about being together and sharing laughs or stories as a family.
Color TVs were rare, so most of what you watched played out in shades of gray. Those evenings created memories that stuck with people for years.
Playing with risky toys like metal yo-yos and cap guns
Toys in the ’60s were a whole different experience. Metal yo-yos could sting your fingers, and cap guns made loud pops with real smoke.
Parents didn’t stress much about sharp edges or small parts. Toys like lawn darts and chemistry sets with real chemicals were part of the fun.
Looking back, it’s wild how risky some of those toys were. But for kids then, that sense of danger just made playtime more exciting.
Using rotary dial telephones for all calls
Making a phone call took some effort. You picked up the receiver, listened for a dial tone, then slowly turned the rotary dial for each number.
If you messed up, you had to start all over. There was no caller ID, so every ring was a bit of a mystery.
Rotary phones had a satisfying click and required patience. Using one was a daily skill that feels almost foreign now.
Listening to music on transistor radios or 8-tracks
Back in the ’60s, music wasn’t always just a tap away. People often carried small transistor radios that could fit right in a pocket.
These radios made it possible to hear your favorite songs or catch up on the news almost anywhere. Whether you were outside with friends or sneaking a listen at school, music was always close by.
The sound quality had its quirks. Reception could be tricky, especially if you were on a train or far from the city.
Having your own radio meant you didn’t have to share with others or rely on a big stereo system. It was a little taste of independence.
For many, the 8-track tape was another way to enjoy music. These chunky cartridges were especially popular in cars.
You could play full albums while driving, making road trips a lot more enjoyable. The 8-tracks gave you the power to choose what you wanted to hear, instead of settling for whatever the car radio picked up.
It’s wild to think about how these gadgets set the stage for the way we listen to music today.
