In our busy and crazy world today, it’s tough not to miss the simpler days of the ’70s and ’80s.
I can vividly recall the days spent cruising on my bike, the wind in my hair, and the world stretching out before me. My mom’s call of “be home before it gets dark!” echoed in the background as we roamed free, making memories with friends.
Those were truly special times!
Back in the day, people really connected with one another. They had real conversations, and most of the time, they talked face-to-face instead of through screens.
The ’70s had their flaws, but they seem like a great time compared to the sometimes scary world we live in now.
As we look at how friendships and relationships have changed over the years, it’s important to see how different things are from the ’70s to now. Come along as we take a look at how love, friendship, and the ties that bring us together have evolved, while also remembering the special things that made the past so memorable.
The 1970s were a mix of good times and tough moments that shaped the decade. The fresh smell of cut grass was everywhere, and Saturday mornings were all about catching your favorite cartoons.
In the evenings, people gathered to enjoy live music that brought everyone together. Drive-in theaters were super popular for weekend fun, and people often chatted while using those old dial telephones.
And who could forget the cool avocado green kitchen gadgets or the banana bikes that were all over the streets? The muscle cars sped past, showing off the power and style of that time. I would love to go back to those days in an instant.
Now, let’s take a look at how relationships have changed from the ’70s to today.
1. Communication Styles
In the 1970s, people mostly talked to each other in person or used landline phones to communicate. Texting and instant messaging were not even a thing back then. Couples would often write letters to share their feelings or have long phone conversations.
During this time, almost 95% of homes had phones, and touch-tone phones started to replace the old rotary ones, making it easier and less annoying to make calls!
Phone calls were pretty expensive, so my family didn’t chat much with relatives who lived far away until the night rates came into play. If the phone rang during the day, it usually meant something bad was happening.
Now, we can communicate instantly through social media, texting, and video calls, which helps couples stay connected no matter how far apart they are. However, this can sometimes lead to misunderstandings because it’s easy to misinterpret tone and meaning in digital messages.
2. Dating norms and practices
In the past, if you wanted to date, you really needed to have some solid social skills.
Back in the day, you really had to be bold to talk to new people — can you believe that? Some people say dating was super easy back then; you could find your future partner almost anywhere — at school, at work, or through friends, and even in the smoky atmosphere of bars and clubs.
Getting someone’s phone number was like a big deal, and if you wanted to hang out, you had to call them and just hope they’d pick up. No swiping on apps — just a lot of courage!
Nowadays, dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have completely changed how people connect. In the ’70s, dating usually followed traditional roles, with guys often asking girls out and paying for dinner — that’s definitely not the case anymore!
3. Attitudes and commitment
The concept of commitment has also shifted. In the early 1970s, a remarkable 70% of married men and 67% of married women reported feeling very happy in their marriages, highlighting a time when marital satisfaction seemed to thrive
A long time ago, getting married was seen as a really important step in life. Many people tied the knot when they were quite young, and divorces were rare, even though they were starting to happen more often. Nowadays, a lot of young people focus more on their own happiness and building their careers.
It’s also pretty normal for couples to live together before they get married, with many choosing to share a home before deciding to commit for life or start a family.
4. Gender roles and equality
The feminist movement was super important during this time. Even though the 1970s had some fun moments, women still had a tough journey ahead to gain their rights. Back then, it was pretty rare for women to have jobs outside the home. They were mostly seen as “housewives” or “homemakers,” which was considered their main job in society. Responsibilities at home were divided by gender, not by what was actually needed.
With not many job options, a lot of women found it really hard if they broke up with their partners. And if they had kids? That made things even tougher! Employers would often ask, “Who’s taking care of the kids while you’re working?”
This is one reason why women started fighting for equality, which changed how people viewed and handled relationships.
Today, the fight for equality is still going strong, but there’s a better understanding of different types of relationships, including LGBTQ+ couples and non-monogamous ones.
Gender roles have also become more flexible, letting people shape their relationships based on respect and teamwork instead of sticking to old-fashioned ideas.
5. Did people have more friends?
I think that people in the 70s had deeper friendships compared to today. Just imagine it: there were no personal computers, cell phones, CDs, or DVDs, and VCRs were something special that not everyone had.
Car phones were really big and mostly used in limousines. There weren’t any flat-screen TVs, cable channels, voicemail, or answering machines — everything was more old-fashioned.
What about 24-hour stores? No way! The only places open all night were a few gas stations and sometimes a 7-Eleven. Because of this, hanging out with friends felt way more personal, and I think it helped us build stronger friendships. Back then, having a lot of friends didn’t really matter — unless you were trying to win the “most popular” spot in the high school yearbook!
For me, it was always about how good and deep those friendships were. There was something really special about spending time together, just the two of us or in a small group, that made those connections super meaningful.
6. Social media influence
In the 1970s, showing affection in public was pretty much a private affair—think about sneaky hand-holding and soft kisses away from curious onlookers.
Now, if you look at today, it’s like a completely different universe! We love to post our relationship milestones on Instagram and Facebook for everyone to see.
But here’s a fun fact: the first social media-like program was actually created back in 1978. It was called the Bulletin Board System, and it allowed friends to share information and connect. Imagine this: you’d use a modem to dial in—yes, the one that made those funny beeping sounds! Users could create groups, share files, and leave messages for others. It was like the original online hangout before social media became a big deal! Isn’t that awesome?
Some people today argue that social media “friends” aren’t really friends—kind of like those people you talk to at a bar.
Someone pointed out that if you took a break from social media for a few months, you might find out how many people actually notice, which is a bit unsettling! But on the bright side, it’s also a super easy way to keep in touch with old friends, family, and even casual acquaintances. Social media definitely has its ups and downs!
7. Mental health awareness
The way we think about mental health has really changed how we handle relationships. In the 1970s, discussing mental health was often considered a no-no, and people found it hard to share their feelings.
Back then, many turned to self-medication, and society was pretty accepting of behaviors like craziness, drinking too much, and sadness. A lot of individuals were called names like “insane” or “lunatic,” which didn’t help anyone and just made the stigma worse.
But now? Things are totally different. There’s a strong emphasis on understanding emotions, getting mental health support, and communicating in a healthy way.
Couples are now encouraged to go to therapy, talk openly about their feelings, and really focus on their emotional health. Honestly, I think it’s so much better today! It’s great to see people taking their mental health seriously and creating stronger, more connected relationships.
The friendships of the 1970s offered a unique experience characterized by genuine connections, unforgettable gatherings, and abundant laughter, all free from the distractions prevalent in contemporary life.
While today’s friendships come with their own perks, there’s just something about that good old-fashioned bonding that we can’t help but miss!
What do you think? Were friendships in the ’70s really better? I’m excited to hear your opinions! Let’s discuss it in the comments, and make sure to share this article on Facebook!