{"id":806,"date":"2026-04-22T17:18:46","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T17:18:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/?p=806"},"modified":"2026-04-22T17:18:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T17:18:46","slug":"why-friendships-from-the-70s-were-simply-the-best","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/?p=806","title":{"rendered":"Why friendships from the \u201970s were simply the best"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In today\u2019s fast-paced and chaotic society, it\u2019s hard not to feel a pang of nostalgia for the simpler times of the \u201970s and \u201980s.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u2019s call of \u201cbe home before it gets dark!\u201d echoed in the background as we roamed free, making memories with friends.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Those were truly special times!<\/strong><\/p>\n

And you know, people actually talked to each other back then. Conversations were meaningful, and interactions were often face-to-face rather than through screens.<\/p>\n

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While the \u201970s certainly had their imperfections, they feel like a golden age compared to the dystopian nightmare we sometimes find ourselves in today.<\/p>\n

As we delve into the evolution of friendship and relationships, it\u2019s essential to recognize how these connections have changed from the \u201970s to today. Join me on a journey as we explore the shifting dynamics of love, companionship, and the bonds that unite us, highlighting the nostalgic elements that made the past so special.<\/p>\n

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Flickr \/ Tim Carter<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The \u201970s were a kaleidoscope of ups and downs that crafted the essence of the decade. The crisp scent of freshly cut grass filled the air, and Saturday mornings were dedicated to watching your favorite cartoons.<\/p>\n

In the evenings, people enjoyed live musical acts that brought them together. Drive-in theaters were the height of weekend entertainment, and conversations were often carried out over the distinct sound of dial telephones.<\/p>\n

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And who could forget the vibrant avocado green kitchen appliances or the banana bikes that adorned our neighborhoods? The muscle cars zoomed by, showcasing the power and style of the decade. I would gladly revisit those days in a heartbeat.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s explore how relationships have evolved from the \u201970s to the present day.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0Communication Styles<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the 1970s, communication in relationships was predominantly face-to-face or via landline telephones.<\/p>\n

The idea of texting or instant messaging was far from reality. Couples often wrote letters to express their feelings or shared moments through phone calls.<\/p>\n

The number of households with phones soared to about 95% and this was also the decade when touch-tone phones began to replace the old rotary models, making calls a little more efficient \u2014 and a lot less frustrating!<\/p>\n

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Flickr \/ Dave\u2019s Archive<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the 1970s, phone rates were quite steep, so I\u2019ve heard that my family seldom talked to our distant relatives until the night rate became available. When the phone rang during the day, it usually meant bad news.<\/p>\n

Today, communication is instantaneous, with social media, texting, and video calls allowing couples to connect regardless of distance. This has led to an increase in both communication and, sometimes, miscommunication, as tone and intent can be easily misconstrued through digital mediums.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0Dating norms and practices<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the past, if you wanted to date, you really needed to have some solid social skills.<\/p>\n

For example, you actually had to be brave enough to chat with strangers \u2014 imagine that! Some folks claim dating was a walk in the park back then; you could stumble upon your future soulmate practically anywhere \u2014 at school, work, or through friends, and yes, even in the smoky haze of bars and clubs.<\/p>\n

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Exchanging phone numbers was practically a rite of passage, and if you wanted to make plans, you had to dial their number and hope for the best. No swiping required \u2014 just good old-fashioned nerve!<\/p>\n

Today, where dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have revolutionized how people meet. Dating in the \u201970s often involved traditional roles, where men typically initiated dates and paid for meals \u2013 that has definitely changed today!<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0Attitudes and commitment<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The concept of commitment has also shifted. In the early 1970s, a remarkable 70% of married men and 67% of married women\u00a0reported\u00a0<\/a>feeling very happy in their marriages, highlighting a time when marital satisfaction seemed to thrive<\/p>\n

Back then, there was a strong emphasis on marriage as a significant life milestone.<\/p>\n

Couples frequently married young, and divorce was less common, though it was beginning to rise. Today, more young people prioritize personal fulfillment and career development.<\/p>\n

Moving in together before marriage has also become widely accepted, with many couples opting to live together before making a lifelong commitment or starting a family.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0Gender roles and equality<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The feminist movement played a crucial role during this era. While the 1970s had its fair share of good times, women still faced a long road ahead for their rights. It was pretty uncommon for women to work outside the home back then. They were often labeled as \u201dhousewives\u201d or \u201chomemakers,\u201d and that was seen as their primary role in society. Roles were divided in the home by sex, not need.<\/p>\n

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, \u201dWho\u2019s watching the children while you\u2019re at work?\u201d<\/p>\n

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That\u2019s one of the reasons women began advocating for equality, leading to changes in how relationships were viewed and navigated.<\/p>\n

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

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

5.\u00a0Did people have more friends?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Personally, I believe that people in the 70\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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Flickr \/ Dave\u2019s Archive<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Car phones were huge and mostly found in limos. There were no flat-screen TVs, cable channels, voicemail, or answering machines \u2014 everything was analog.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t matter much \u2014 unless, of course, you were vying for the \u201cmost popular\u201d title in the high school yearbook!<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0Social media influence<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Back in the \u201970s, showing a little love in public was mostly kept to private moments\u2014 think sneaky hand-holding and quiet kisses away from prying eyes.<\/p>\n

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Fast forward to today, and it\u2019s like a whole new world! Now, we\u2019re all about sharing relationship milestones on Instagram and Facebook.<\/p>\n

But did you know that the very first social media-like software was actually creatied in 1978.\u00a0Bulletin Board System<\/a>\u00a0was a way for friends to share info and connect with each other. Picture this: you\u2019d dial in with a modem \u2014 yep, the kind that made those funny beeping noises! Users could set up groups, share files, and post messages for others to see. It was like the original online hangout spot before social media blew up! How cool is that?<\/p>\n

Some people today say that social media \u201cfriends\u201d aren\u2019t really friends \u2014 kind of like those folks you chat with at a bar.<\/p>\n

Someone mentioned that you could disappear from social media for a few months and see how many people actually notice, and that\u2019s a little scary! But on the flip side, it\u2019s also a great and easy way to stay connected with old classmates, family members, and casual acquaintances. It\u2019s definitely a mixed bag with social media.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0Mental health awareness<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Finally, the growing awareness of mental health issues has totally changed how we approach relationships. Back in the \u201970s, talking about mental health was often seen as taboo, and people had a tough time expressing their emotional needs.<\/p>\n

People often self-medicated, and there was a lot of tolerance for craziness, drunkenness, and sadness in society back then. A lot of people were labeled as \u201cinsane,\u201d \u201clunatic,\u201d or \u201cidiotic\u201d \u2014 which, honestly, didn\u2019t help anyone at all. It just added to the stigma.<\/p>\n

But today? It\u2019s a whole different ball game. There\u2019s a big focus on emotional intelligence, mental health support, and healthy communication.<\/p>\n

Couples are encouraged to seek therapy, have open chats about their feelings, and really prioritize their emotional well-being. Honestly, I think it\u2019s way better nowadays! It\u2019s refreshing to see people take their mental health seriously and build stronger, more connected relationships.<\/p>\n

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Flcikr \/ Elanie Moore<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So there you have it! The friendships of the \u201970s brought something special to the table: real connections, memorable hangouts, and plenty of laughs without the distractions of modern life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

While today\u2019s friendships come with their own perks, there\u2019s just something about that good old-fashioned bonding that we can\u2019t help but miss!<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, what do you think? Were the friendships of the \u201970s truly better? I\u2019d love to hear your thoughts! Let\u2019s chat about it in the comments \u2013 and don\u2019t forget to share this article on Facebook!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In today\u2019s fast-paced and chaotic society, it\u2019s hard not to feel a pang of nostalgia for the simpler times of the \u201970s and \u201980s. I can vividly recall the days … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":807,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-806","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/806","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=806"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/806\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":808,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/806\/revisions\/808"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/807"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=806"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=806"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmpackz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=806"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}