The 1970s get remembered for disco, big hair, and cultural shake-ups, but daily life for women still ran on rules that feel unbelievable now. Even with feminism gaining ground, expectations at work, at home, and in public kept women boxed in ways that would never fly today. Here are the ten that say the most about how far things have shifted.
1. Wearing Skirts or Dresses to Work (No Excuses)
Workplaces in the ’70s didn’t just prefer skirts, they expected them. Women walked into offices knowing pants could get them side-eyed or sent home to “fix” their outfit. Some companies even wrote the rule into policy. Whether you were commuting through rain, freezing wind, or crowded trains, the dress code didn’t budge. The idea was that femininity needed to be visible at all times, even if it meant being uncomfortable from nine to five. Today, women can show up in trousers, flats, or whatever actually lets them work, and no one thinks twice.
2. Smiling Through Everything Just to Seem Approachable
A strange rule of the era: women were expected to smile no matter what was happening around them. Grocery stores, offices, family gatherings, you were supposed to look cheerful just to make everyone else comfortable. Not smiling could spark comments like “Cheer up” or “What’s wrong?” even when nothing was wrong at all. It wasn’t about kindness, it was about social expectation. Now, people understand that being human sometimes means looking serious, tired, or focused, and women don’t have to mask real emotions just to avoid judgment.
3. Being Judged on Homemaking Skills More Than Anything Else
A woman’s “worth” in the ’70s was often measured by how spotless her house was. Perfect laundry, polished floors, coordinated décor, all of it supposedly reflected her character. Dinner had to be home-cooked, dust was unacceptable, and visitors were treated like inspectors. Even women who worked full-time felt pressure to maintain a magazine-ready home. Today, most people understand that life gets messy, chores get shared, and a lived-in space doesn’t say anything about someone’s value.
4. Dressing to Please Men Instead of Dressing for Themselves
Fashion might look fun in old photos, but a lot of the choices weren’t actually choices at all. Women often dressed based on what men found “appropriate,” attractive, or respectable. Hemlines, makeup, hair, shoes, everything came with outside opinions attached. Even something as simple as wearing comfortable shoes could spark comments. Now, clothing has shifted into a form of self-expression, and women choose what feels right, not what earns approval.
5. Keeping Every Family Problem Behind Closed Doors
In the ’70s, families worked hard to project an image of perfection. Laughing kids, tidy homes, smiling parents, that was the story everyone was expected to sell. Any conflict, stress, or dysfunction stayed hidden. Women carried the weight of maintaining that illusion, often without support. Admitting you were struggling felt like failure. Today, more people talk openly about mental health, boundaries, and the reality that no family is flawless. Seeking help isn’t shameful anymore, it’s responsible.
6. Relying on Men for Everyday Tasks They Could Easily Do Themselves
Back then, a lot of basic tasks were wrapped in rigid gender roles. Carrying heavy bags? That was a man’s job. Opening doors? Also a man’s job. Even small acts, like assembling household items or handling finances, were often handed over because society framed certain tasks as “male responsibilities.” Women were capable, but the culture around them insisted they step aside. Today, independence is celebrated, and the expectation that women should wait for help feels outdated.
7. Being Told “Boys Will Be Boys” Instead of Being Taken Seriously
If a man made an inappropriate comment or crossed a line, many were quick to excuse it. Women were expected to laugh it off, stay polite, or simply endure it. Speaking up wasn’t encouraged, it was often labeled dramatic or overreactive. That old phrase “boys will be boys” became a shield for behavior that was disrespectful at best and harmful at worst. Modern conversations finally challenge that mindset, and women are no longer expected to tolerate what should never have been tolerated.
8. Wearing Pantyhose With Every Skirt, No Matter the Weather
Pantyhose were practically a uniform. Hot summer day? Still required. Quick run to the bank or office? Still required. The idea was that “bare legs” were unprofessional, and even impractical outfits were treated as rules instead of preferences. Stockings, garter belts, and nylons were part of the daily routine whether women liked it or not. Today, dress codes are far more flexible, and the freedom to skip pantyhose (or any specific garment) feels like a small but meaningful win.
9. Maintaining Big, High-Maintenance Hair
In the ’70s, volume wasn’t a choice, it was a duty. Women spent mornings with hot rollers, teasing combs, and hairspray strong enough to stop traffic. Big hair signaled effort, femininity, and social polish, even if it required constant upkeep. Today, most people would never tolerate that level of daily maintenance. Natural texture, low-effort styling, and comfort matter far more than sculpted, hurricane-proof curls.
10. Being Steered Into Only a Handful of “Acceptable” Careers
Career expectations were narrow. Teaching, nursing, secretarial work, these were seen as the “proper” lanes for women who wanted stability and approval. Dreaming beyond that often meant pushback from family, schools, or employers. Many talented women had to fight twice as hard just to enter fields like law, engineering, or business. Now, women build careers anywhere they choose, from tech and politics to aviation and entrepreneurship. The options are wide open, and the progress shows just how far things have shifted.
