Bruno Pugh
If your biggest daily problem is a slow-loading app, brace yourself. The ’60s had challenges that would trip up even the most confident modern multitasker. This was no era of shortcuts or easy fixes—things moved slower and demanded more from everyone. So, how would younger folks really handle it? Here come the truths that say, “Not very well.”
No Smartphones Or Internet Access
Smartphones and the internet didn’t exist in the ’60s. Instant communication wasn’t an option. People got their news from newspapers, the radio, or TV. Even then, most homes had only one channel with limited programming. The first portable cell phone wouldn’t be invented until 1973, well after the decade had ended.
Manual Driving Without Modern Safety Features
Behind the wheel in those days, drivers faced the road with minimal protection. Airbags didn’t exist, and GPS was decades away. Seat belt laws came late, but not everywhere. With shifting rules and few clear signs, staying safe relied more on gut instinct than technology or regulation.
No Streaming Or On-Demand Entertainment
TV shows aired on fixed schedules, with no replays or on-demand options. Music was also played on vinyl records or over AM/FM radio. Home video had not yet been introduced, and video rental stores did not exist. That’s why drive-in theaters served as a popular entertainment option, especially for movie lovers.
Limited Social Acceptance Of Diversity
Life in the ’60s often felt unwelcoming for anyone outside the mainstream. Racial segregation remained common, and gender roles limited opportunity. LGBTQ+ communities had little recognition. Change was brewing, though—civil rights protests grew louder, and the first Pride march didn’t take place until 1970.
No Online Shopping Or Digital Payments
Shopping meant planning ahead. People visited stores in person and paid with cash or checks. Credit cards were rare and often turned away. Catalogs filled the gap but came with slow shipping and long wait times. Online purchases? Those did not exist yet—the first one was made in 1994.
Strict Dress Codes And Fashion Expectations
Fashion expectations in the ’60s called for consistent formality across workplaces and social settings. Men wore suits or crisp collared shirts, while women wore skirts and dresses nearly everywhere. Athletic wear did not pass as casual. The rise of the miniskirt mid-decade introduced a new youth-led shift in cultural expression.
Lack Of Modern Healthcare And Technology
Healthcare during the ’60s lacked many technologies used today. Diagnostic tools like MRIs and CT scans had not yet been developed. This made the early detection of disease more difficult. Vaccination programs were also limited in scope. The first heart transplant occurred in 1967, marking one of the few medical breakthroughs of the decade.
Smoking Was Socially Accepted Everywhere
Smoking was allowed in most public places, including offices and airplanes. Health concerns were largely ignored, and tobacco ads appeared on television and in print. The Surgeon General’s report, released in 1964, was the first major government-issued warning that confirmed the link between smoking and cancer.
Higher Physical Labor And Manual Chores
Basic tasks took much more time and energy. Washing clothes, preparing meals, or cleaning the house all required manual effort. Labor-heavy jobs lacked the machinery we rely on today. Even kitchen appliances remained rare. Microwaves didn’t become common until the late ’60s, which meant reheating leftovers was a slow process.
Limited Environmental Awareness And Recycling
Environmental awareness was barely a whisper during that decade. Recycling bins were rare, and separating trash wasn’t the norm. Pollution filled the skies and waterways with little resistance. The green movement hadn’t taken off yet—only after the decade closed did Earth Day finally spark lasting change in 1970.