1. Buying Fireworks at the Grocery Store
In the ’70s, you could grab some Roman candles or bottle rockets right next to your milk and eggs. Fireworks were sold out in the open in many grocery stores, especially around the Fourth of July. Kids bought them without adult supervision, and lighting them off in the street was part of summer fun. Safety instructions were basically an afterthought.
Nowadays, fireworks are tightly regulated, and their sale is banned or restricted in many states and municipalities, according to Kelly Bryant of Reader’s Digest. You often need a permit or can only buy “safe and sane” varieties. Violating fireworks laws can lead to fines or even arrest, especially if there’s property damage. It’s no longer a grab-and-go situation.
2. Letting Kids Ride in the Back of Pickup Trucks
Back in the ’70s, it was totally normal to see a bunch of kids bouncing around in the back of a pickup, hair flying and smiles wide. Parents didn’t think twice about it—it was just a fun way to get to a friend’s house or head out for ice cream. Seat belt laws were barely a thing, and this kind of ride felt like a treat rather than a danger. It was a simpler time, or at least it felt that way.
Fast forward to today, and you could absolutely get cited—or even arrested—for allowing that, according to Susan Meyer of The Zebra. Nearly every state now has laws restricting passengers from riding in open cargo areas, especially children. It’s considered reckless endangerment in many jurisdictions. Safety standards have evolved dramatically, and with good reason.
3. Hitchhiking
Sticking out your thumb and catching a ride with a stranger was practically a rite of passage in the ’70s. It wasn’t just accepted—it was expected, especially for broke college students and free-spirited travelers. It wasn’t considered especially risky, and many people did it without fear. Movies and music of the time even romanticized it.
Today, while hitchhiking itself isn’t always illegal, it’s highly discouraged and banned in many places—especially on highways or interstates, according to Joseph Stromberg of Vox. Law enforcement might stop you or the driver, citing safety concerns or traffic laws. The perception has shifted drastically, largely due to fears about crime and liability. Now it’s more likely to raise suspicion than a ride.
4. Leaving Kids Home Alone—Even Young Ones
In the ’70s, it wasn’t unusual for a 7- or 8-year-old to stay home alone for a few hours while parents ran errands or worked. Parents just left a note or told them not to answer the door. Kids were expected to fend for themselves a bit—microwaves weren’t even widespread yet, so maybe there were some cold hot dogs involved. It was a trust-based system, for better or worse.
These days, that same behavior could lead to a visit from Child Protective Services—or worse. Many states have laws or guidelines about minimum ages for being home alone, according to Elise Solé of TODAY, and parents can be charged with neglect if they don’t follow them. Even if no law is broken, neighbors can report you. Society’s tolerance for risk when it comes to kids has changed dramatically.
5. Drinking and Driving (Casually)
As shocking as it sounds today, having “a couple beers” and driving home was widely accepted in the ’70s. There were fewer DUI checkpoints, lower penalties, and far less stigma. It wasn’t seen as reckless—just something adults did. In fact, it was often joked about in media and pop culture.
Modern laws are strict and enforcement is aggressive. Every state now has a 0.08% BAC legal limit, and many have zero-tolerance laws for younger drivers. A DUI can result in license suspension, heavy fines, or jail time. Society has rightly recognized the danger, and there’s no more casual attitude about it.
6. Kids Riding Bikes Without Helmets
Back in the ’70s, helmets were basically reserved for football fields, not neighborhood streets. Kids rode bikes, skateboards, and roller skates helmet-free all day long. The only gear they might wear was a baseball cap or a Walkman. And sure, there were spills and scrapes, but nobody called it a crisis.
Today, most states have helmet laws for children and teens, and schools often reinforce them. Parents can be fined, and children without helmets may be prohibited from riding in public areas. Head injuries are taken very seriously now, and studies have shown helmets dramatically reduce the risk. The culture has shifted from carefree to careful.
7. Corporal Punishment in Schools
Getting swatted with a paddle by a teacher or principal was not uncommon in the ’70s. In many public schools, corporal punishment was a disciplinary tool used with parental approval—or sometimes without it. It was seen as a quick way to maintain order and respect. Students learned early that bad behavior could result in more than just detention.
Today, corporal punishment is banned in public schools in over 30 states, and its use is heavily restricted or controversial in others. In many places, it could lead to criminal charges or lawsuits. Teachers and administrators now rely on alternative disciplinary methods, and the focus is on emotional well-being. That paddle now lives in a museum—or a lawsuit.
8. Smoking on Airplanes
In the 1970s, lighting up a cigarette mid-flight was just part of the flying experience. Airplanes had designated smoking sections, and ashtrays were built right into the armrests. If you were a non-smoker, you just hoped you were sitting far enough away. The smoky haze was as common as the complimentary peanuts.
Today, smoking anything on a plane is a federal offense. The FAA officially banned it in the late ’80s and ’90s, and violating that law can land you a hefty fine or worse. Even tampering with a smoke detector in the lavatory is a criminal act. Flying has become much healthier—at least when it comes to the air you breathe.
9. Letting Kids Roam the Neighborhood Alone
In the ’70s, kids would leave the house in the morning and not return until dinner. They’d bike miles away, explore creeks, play with friends—no cell phones, no check-ins. Parents trusted that other adults in the neighborhood were also keeping an eye out. It was freedom, plain and simple.
Today, this kind of unsupervised roaming can land parents in legal trouble. In some cases, police or child services have been called because a child was walking to school alone. “Free-range parenting” is now a controversial philosophy instead of a default. People assume neglect where independence once lived.
10. Buying Cold Medicine That Could Be Used to Make Drugs
In the 1970s, you could walk into any pharmacy and buy cold medicine like Sudafed or Contac without showing ID. No one blinked an eye if you bought several boxes. The active ingredient, pseudoephedrine, was just seen as a common decongestant. Drug abuse wasn’t a top concern—yet.
Today, because pseudoephedrine can be used to manufacture methamphetamine, it’s tightly controlled under federal law. You have to present ID, there’s a purchase limit, and your info gets logged into a national database. Buying too much can raise red flags or get you investigated. What used to be routine now involves red tape and suspicion.
11. Riding Without Seat Belts
In the ’70s, seat belts were more of a suggestion than a requirement. A lot of cars didn’t even have rear seat belts, and most people didn’t bother using the ones they had. Kids would sprawl out in the back seat or even nap on the floor during road trips. It felt normal—even comfortable.
Today, seat belt use is mandated in every state except New Hampshire (which still requires it for minors). Not buckling up can lead to fines and points on your license. Parents who allow kids to ride unrestrained can face child endangerment charges. Safety culture has come a long way, and click-it-or-ticket is the law of the land.
12. Leaving Your Car Running While You Went Inside a Store
Need to run into the gas station for a soda? In the ’70s, you might’ve just left the engine running with the keys in the ignition. This was seen as efficient and harmless—especially in small towns or colder areas. No one worried much about car theft or carbon monoxide risk.
Today, leaving a car running unattended—even for a minute—can get you fined in many states and cities. It’s considered a public safety risk and a tempting opportunity for vehicle theft. In some areas, it violates anti-idling laws meant to protect the environment. What used to be practical now reads as irresponsible and risky.
13. Carrying Pocketknives to School
Boys in the ’70s often carried pocketknives like they were Boy Scout badges. They weren’t weapons—they were tools, used to whittle sticks or open stubborn packaging. Teachers and administrators generally looked the other way unless it was being misused. It was just part of growing up, especially in rural areas.
Now, bringing any kind of blade to school is a serious violation of zero-tolerance policies. Many school districts will suspend or expel a student for even a small folding knife. Police may be called, and charges could follow, especially for older students. What was once innocent is now a major red flag.
14. Drinking Underage at Family Gatherings
In the ’70s, it wasn’t that strange to see a teen sipping a beer at a family barbecue or holiday party. Parents sometimes handed one over with a wink, treating it like a rite of passage. The legal drinking age in many states was only 18, and it wasn’t always strictly enforced. As long as you weren’t driving, it felt relatively harmless.
Today, any adult who gives alcohol to a minor—even their own child—can face serious legal consequences. All states now set the drinking age at 21, and “social host” laws hold adults responsible for underage drinking on their property. A friendly gesture in the ’70s could be considered contributing to the delinquency of a minor today. It’s a major shift in how we think about alcohol and responsibility.
15. Burning Trash in Your Backyard
In suburban and rural areas during the ’70s, backyard burn barrels were just part of life. People tossed in paper, cardboard, and even plastic without a second thought. It was cheaper and easier than hauling everything to the dump. The smoky smell was familiar—and a little nostalgic for some.
Nowadays, open burning is heavily restricted or outright banned in most areas. Environmental laws and air quality standards have cracked down on backyard incineration. Fines are common, and repeat offenders can face criminal charges. What once seemed practical now raises health and pollution concerns.
16. Leaving Dogs Unleashed in Public
Dogs roamed neighborhoods freely in the ’70s. They’d follow kids to school, wander home for dinner, and socialize with other pups along the way. Nobody thought much of a friendly Labrador trotting down the sidewalk alone. It was just how things were.
Today, leash laws are strictly enforced in most towns and cities. Letting your dog off-leash in public can result in fines—or worse if the dog causes injury or damage. Animal control could even seize your pet. What used to be cute is now a potential liability.
17. Smoking Indoors Practically Everywhere
Whether it was a restaurant, office, bowling alley, or even a hospital waiting room, smoking indoors was a part of everyday life in the 1970s. Ashtrays were on every table, and non-smoking sections were often just a few feet away from smokers. It wasn’t just allowed—it was expected. The air was constantly hazy, and no one batted an eye.
Today, indoor smoking bans cover virtually every public space in the U.S. Violating them can result in fines for both the individual and the business. Restaurants, bars, and workplaces must comply with strict regulations to maintain health standards. We’ve come a long way in recognizing the dangers of secondhand smoke.
