Social norms and shared standards of behavior morph over time as societies and technologies change. These 18 social norms are increasingly irrelevant today, as society has become less traditional and more accepting of different ways of life.
Dress Codes for Work
The Saturday Evening Post notes that while Americans used to wear dark-colored suits, shirts, and neckties, “today, about 80 percent wear business-casual or casual attire in their workplace.” Dress codes slowly began relaxing in the 1960s, and now, twenty percent of Americans work in companies with no dress code.
Gender-Specific Roles
Soldiers, police officers, and politicians, among other jobs, have been male-dominated for much of human history. Gender-specific roles are becoming less common, with men encouraged to become nurses and more women working in previously male-dominated industries.
The 9-to-5 Work Schedule
The 9-to-5 work schedule dominated offices for almost a century after being popularized by Henry Ford in the 1920s. However, its popularity has waned over time as the gig economy and freelance work arrangements have become more common. Some companies are now implementing four-day workweeks.
Formal Education as the Only Path to Success
Formal education at private schools, colleges, and universities once ensured a high chance of success later in life. However, the value of vocational training, apprenticeships, and self-taught skills has increased over time, and there are many success stories of college dropouts, such as Steve Jobs.
The Nuclear Family as the Ideal
Family structure has undergone significant changes since the 1970s. Traditional married two-parent households with 2–3 children are less common, with other family living arrangements like unmarried adults raising children and single parents becoming more common. Americans marrying later and choosing not to marry and women having fewer children have changed family structures.
Male Breadwinner Model
As women have entered the workforce over the past century, men are no longer the traditional breadwinners they were for centuries. Dual-income households and women earning more than their partners are widespread.
Stigma Around Mental Health
People with mental and behavioral disorders were imprisoned, isolated, ostracized, or killed throughout history. Society’s treatment of mental illness has massively improved in the past century, and many people are open about their struggles.
Marrying at a Young Age
A recent article from NPR notes that “today, more people are tying the knot in their 40s and older, and the share of people who never marry has doubled since 1960.” Americans are marrying later in life as it takes them longer to achieve financial stability, and cohabitation before or without marriage is normal.
Strict Parenting Styles
Parenting has become less strict over time as more democratic and supportive approaches have become mainstream. “Helicopter parenting” is increasingly understood to be harmful to children.
Lifetime Loyalty to One Company
Lifetime employment at a single organization is less common than it used to be. Some employees of long-established multinational corporations still stay for life because of the good pension provisions, varied departments, and transparent pay structures, but generally, employees stay in jobs for shorter periods.
Stigma Around Divorce
Society has shifted toward accepting divorce as a normal part of life in many parts of the world. Divorce.com notes that “divorce rates are exceptionally high among people aged 50–75,” so-called “gray divorces.” While divorce rates have dipped in America over the past decade, moral acceptability is at record highs.
Paper Communications
Before mobile phones, computers, and word processing software, writing on paper in personal and professional contexts was the norm. Today, traditional mail is increasingly uncommon, and digital communication is favored for being instant.
The Taboo of Living Together Before Marriage
Cohabitation was considered taboo for centuries before becoming a normal, standard practice in the late 20th century in America. Societal perceptions of commitment and relationships have shifted, and now, living together before marriage is widespread.
Owning a House as a Sign of Success
Buying a house was once a marker of success, but many Americans are choosing to rent and favor mobility over traditional property ownership. Owning a home is still a common life goal, but it is increasingly out of reach for many people. Forbes notes that a combination of high mortgage rates and home prices “amid historically low housing stock continues to put homeownership out of reach for many—most notably first-time buyers.”
Saving Physical Media
Photo albums, books, DVDs, CDs, and more are becoming obsolete in favor of modern digital alternatives. While some people still enjoy owning physical copies of their favorite books and movies, many are decluttering and moving to digital copies.
Homemaking as a Solely Female Duty
More women were housewives in the 20th century, and homemaking and cleaning traditionally fell on their shoulders. Today, men are doing more of the share than ever before, but polls show that even among millennials, women are still doing more.
Linear Career Paths
Career changes have become more normal in recent years and have been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Techreport, over one-third of workers during the pandemic changed jobs, and the average age of a major career change is 39.
The Necessity of Having Children
Children were a necessity for most people throughout history. Today, more individuals and couples choose not to have children for financial, environmental, and personal reasons. There is a growing acceptance that life can be fulfilling without them.
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