How Best Friendships Have Evolved from the 1970s to Today

2. Dating Norms: Courage Then, Convenience Now

Dating in the ’70s took confidence and sincerity. If you liked someone, you had to walk across the room, look them in the eye, and start a conversation. You might meet someone through friends, at a dance, or in line at the record store. Exchanging numbers meant something — a small but genuine leap of faith. There were no dating apps or curated profiles — no filters, no “swipe right.” Just people, face-to-face, hoping to find a spark. Dates often meant long walks, shared milkshakes, and deep talks under starlit skies. Today, love lives on screens. Apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have revolutionized how people meet. It’s easier than ever to find someone, but harder to build something real. Relationships now often begin with profile pictures and short bios, not with laughter across a diner table. Convenience has replaced courage, and in some ways, mystery has disappeared.

3. Attitudes Toward Commitment: From Stability to Self-Discovery

In the 1970s, commitment meant permanence. Marriage was considered the ultimate goal — a cornerstone of adulthood. Couples married younger, built families earlier, and viewed separation as a last resort. Despite rising divorce rates toward the end of the decade, most saw commitment as a duty as much as a choice. Studies from the era showed that roughly 70% of married men and 67% of married women reported being satisfied in their marriages — impressive, given the limited communication tools and societal pressures of the time. Today, marriage is no longer a universal milestone. Many people choose to focus on independence, emotional growth, and stability before settling down. Cohabitation — once scandalous — has become normal. Relationships now emphasize mutual respect and personal growth over tradition. We’ve evolved from “till death do us part” to “as long as we both keep growing.”

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