Emily Flores
The 1970s are often romanticized as a time of disco glamour and the women’s liberation movement. But behind the groovy soundtrack and bright colors was a darker reality for females. Thankfully, many things women endured back then are no longer the same. We point out 20 of such things here, and reading through them shows just how far we’ve come.
Getting A Credit Card Required The Husband’s Signature
Regardless of their financial responsibility or income, banks routinely prohibited women who were divorced or unmarried from opening a credit card account before 1974. It was assumed that ladies did not make the majority of financial decisions. This discrimination was outlawed by the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.
Being Denied Jury Duty Was The Norm
Many U.S. states excluded females from jury service unless they explicitly volunteered, which meant they were underrepresented or absent altogether. The reasoning was usually based on outdated beliefs that women were too nurturing or emotional to be objective. This changed in 1975 with a Supreme Court decision.
Wearing Pants To Work Was A Risky Statement
In professional environments, dress codes demanded skirts or dresses for the ladies, and deviating from this norm could cost them their jobs. Airline stewardesses, for example, were not permitted to wear trousers on duty. Until the late 1970s, even high-level female executives could be fired for wearing pants.
Getting Birth Control Without A Husband Was Illegal
It wasn’t until the 1972 Supreme Court case Eisenstadt v. Baird that unmarried females were granted the same rights as married women to access contraceptives. Before that, doctors would often refuse prescriptions without proof of marriage, and many university health centers did not provide birth control at all.
Facing Forced Resignation After Pregnancy
Employers routinely fired women once they became visibly pregnant, citing concerns about appearance or mobility. Single mothers were looked down upon, too. This wasn’t illegal until the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, which finally prohibited employment discrimination based on pregnancy or childbirth.
Applying For Jobs Listed By Gender Was Standard Practice
Until a series of legal challenges in the early 1970s, newspapers and employment bulletins were split into two sections: “Help Wanted—Male” and “Help Wanted—Female.” Women were steered into low-paying caregiving jobs, regardless of their qualifications. A 1973 decision by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) banned gender segregated job listings.
Being Barred From Ivy League Classrooms Was Real
Several Ivy League institutions refused to admit females as full-time students until the late 1960s and beyond. Yale and Princeton admitted their first female undergraduates in 1969, while Columbia held out until 1983. Harvard allowed women to take classes but issued diplomas through Radcliffe College.
Being Required To Quit Competitive Sports Post-School Was Routine
Right before the implementation of Title IX in 1972, the federal government was not required by law to provide girls with equal access to athletic opportunities in schools. As a result, many public schools did not offer girls’ official sports programs. Even when resources were available, girls’ teams had poorer equipment and little visibility.
Being Denied Access To Legal Birth Names After Marriage
In many U.S. states, females were required to legally change their last name to their husband’s after marriage. Some government agencies, including the Social Security Administration, would not issue IDs or checks unless a woman’s last name matched that of her husband.
Being Told Teaching Or Nursing Were The Only Real Careers
Guidance counselors and college career offices encouraged ladies to pursue traditionally “feminine” roles, such as teaching or secretarial work. Even when women pursued degrees in science or engineering, they were often advised to switch majors due to assumed family obligations or “lack of fit.”
Being Paid Less Was Expected And Legal
Despite the Equal Pay Act of 1963, employers found loopholes to continue paying women less than men for the same work. Some companies classified women’s roles differently to justify lower wages, even when responsibilities were identical. The wage gap hovered around 40% in 1970.
Having To Prove “Moral Character” For Mortgages
Single or divorced females applying for a mortgage were often subjected to invasive questions about their personal lives, including whether they planned to marry. Banks frequently required letters of recommendation from male employers or religious figures to attest to their moral character.
Being Expected To Marry Before 25 Or Be Labeled A Spinster
Cultural norms dictated that women should marry young or risk being seen as undesirable. In 1970, the average age of first marriage for girls was 20 years. Females over 30 who remained single were mocked in the media as “spinsters” or “old maids.” Magazines and books advised females to prioritize marriage over a career.
Being Denied Bar Memberships And Club Access
Many social clubs explicitly banned female members, preventing them from accessing key networking opportunities. These “gentlemen’s clubs” were where major deals and referrals were informally arranged. Some women sued for access, and this led to court-mandated inclusion during the 1980s.
Having To Ask Permission To Join The Military In Most Roles
Most branches of the U.S. military limited ladies’ roles and required special approval for them to join, especially in combat-adjacent positions. Until 1976, the majority of officer training programs were male-only or had strict quotas for women. Female personnel were seen more as support staff than soldiers.
Being Shut Out Of Most Political Offices
In 1970, only 10 women served in the U.S. Congress. Women were discouraged from running for office, often told it would interfere with family duties or make them appear “unfeminine.” Also, political party machines rarely endorsed female candidates. Even when women did run, they were scrutinized for their marital status and parenting choices.
Facing Higher Standards In Divorce Court
Divorce law in the 1970s frequently placed the burden of proof on women. Custody was awarded based on whether the woman could demonstrate she was an exceptional homemaker, rather than simply a competent parent. Also, women had to prove fault, like adultery, just to obtain a divorce.
Needing A Male Co-Signer For Business Loans
Banks routinely denied business loans to women unless a male partner co-signed, regardless of their credit score or business acumen. Even the Small Business Administration (SBA) tended to favor male applicants. As a result, women-owned businesses were typically smaller and underfunded.
Being Blocked From Serving As Priests Or Religious Leaders
Major religious institutions resisted female leadership well into the 20th century. Many denominations barred women from leading congregations, and the Episcopal Church ordained its first female priest only in 1976. Some determined women disguised themselves as men to gain preaching opportunities.
Being Told Feminism Was Just A Phase
Despite the rise of second-wave feminism in the 1970s, the movement faced mockery from mainstream media and even some political leaders. Feminists were painted as man-haters or extremists, and television shows depicted them as humorless and unattractive.