Times Have Changed: Common Practices That Seem Preposterous Today
Are you surprised to learn that certain practices that seem completely normal today would have been considered stranger than a horse flying in 1920? Delve into the fascinating world of historical practices that have been overwritten by modern norms. We explore a wide range of topics where the line between the mundane and the bizarre has shifted dramatically over the span of a century.
From Gender Norms to Self-Expression
In the early 20th century, the idea of a man using the women’s restroom would have garnered a violent reaction. When a man trespassing into the women's section of a restroom was once met with more than just a disapproving look. The commonality of such acts today is a testament to how far we've come in gender norms and inclusivity.
Similarly, people talking to themselves and their imaginary friends would have been committed to institutions if observed in public in 1922. Nowadays, individuals engaging in these behaviors are often perceived as eccentric but not autistic, with society generally adopting a more understanding and accepting attitude.
Technology and Modernization
Over the past century, technology has advanced at an unprecedented pace, and once-new phenomena have become the norm. For instance, my local bookstore, a megastore in 2020, has expanded its inventory by creating a new department next to the cookbooks for sex toys. This reflects how society is increasingly embracing openness and inclusivity regarding intimate products and practices.
Social Norms and Cultural Shifts
Where once it was entirely acceptable, even expected, for a brother to marry a sister, today such incestuous relationships are seen as taboo. Conversely, the practice of girls kissing, which was once non-existent, is now widely accepted, with public displays becoming more common and socially accepted.
In the realm of health and fitness, running and jogging for exercise used to be for the eccentric. Today, it’s a routine part of health and physical activity, with people of all ages taking up these activities regularly.
Legal and Social Norms
Many societal norms from the early 20th century are now considered odd by today’s standards, reflecting dramatic changes that have reshaped our world. Servants, for example, were once a common part of middle-class life, with households employing butlers and maids based on their financial means. Today, households are more likely to have professional cleaning services or stay-at-home parents.
The notion that people could pass away before reaching the age of 60 was also all too common in the early 1900s. Advances in healthcare and medicine have extended life expectancy, leading to a new normal that includes people living well beyond the age of 60.
Mass-Scale Changes
From the advent of the automobile to the airplane to the modern idea of global communication, just 100 years ago, many technologies and practices were alien to the average person. While the jet plane and color TV are now commonplace, centuries ago, they would be unimaginable. And let’s not forget, the eradication of diseases like polio and the widespread availability of modern vaccinations are now taken for granted but were once a dream.
Conclusion: The Continual Evolution of Norms
It is clear that much of 1919-1920 is unrecognizable to us today, and the progression of time often results in seemingly inconceivable changes. Something that was an everyday norm in 1920 could be considered bizarre today. This article serves as a reminder of the extraordinary pace at which society moves and the perpetual evolution of norms and practices.
So, next time you think something is strange, remember that with time, it could become the new normal. As we continue to evolve, what we once considered the norm may soon be seen as a relic of a bygone era.