Why friendships from the ’70s were simply the best

With limited job opportunities, many women found themselves in a tight spot if they separated from their partners. And if they had kids? Forget about it! Employers often asked, ”Who’s watching the children while you’re at work?”

That’s one of the reasons women began advocating for equality, leading to changes in how relationships were viewed and navigated.

Today, the push for equality continues, but there is a broader understanding of diverse relationship structures, including LGBTQ+ partnerships and non-monogamous arrangements.

Gender roles are also more fluid, allowing individuals to define their relationships based on mutual respect and collaboration rather than traditional expectations.

5. Did people have more friends?

Personally, I believe that people in the 70’s had more meaningful friendships than today. Just think about it: no PCs, no cell phones, no CDs or DVDs, and VCRs were a rare luxury.

Car phones were huge and mostly found in limos. There were no flat-screen TVs, cable channels, voicemail, or answering machines — everything was analog.

And 24-hour stores? Forget it! The only ones open all night were a few gas stations and the occasional 7-Eleven. Because of all that, the time spent with friends was much more personal, and I think it really created stronger bonds. Back then, the number of friends you had didn’t matter much — unless, of course, you were vying for the “most popular” title in the high school yearbook!

For me, it was always about the quality and depth of those friendships. There was something special about sharing moments together, just the two of us or in a small group, that made those connections truly meaningful.

6. Social media influence

Back in the ’70s, showing a little love in public was mostly kept to private moments— think sneaky hand-holding and quiet kisses away from prying eyes.