10 Weird Things People Believed in the 1960s

If you’ve ever looked at an old advert from the 1960s and thought, “Wait, people actually believed that?” you’re not alone. Back then, table manners were character-building, rock music equated to rebellion, and people genuinely thought robots would be doing all our housework by the year 2000.

From strict beauty rules for flight attendants to odd parenting advice, the 1960s were a curious mix of optimism and oddity. Some beliefs make us laugh, others make us cringe, and a few are just plain odd.

Here are some of the strangest things people believed 60 years ago.

1) The wife is responsible for ensuring a well-organised home

Back in the 60’s, women were expected to keep the home neat and tidy at all times. When their husband returned from work, the house was expected to be perfect, likely including dinner on the table and a sparklingly clean kitchen!

2) ATM’s are a pointless invention

ATM’s took away the inconvenience of having to wait for the bank to the open when you needed some cash. When cash machines were introduced during the 1960’s, people actually avoided using them initially and thought they wouldn’t last.

3) Laser erasers are groundbreaking

Laser technology is still around today, mostly used for eye surgeries and tattoo removal. During the 1960’s this tech was viewed as cutting-edge and was initially developed to correct typewriter errors. The laser gun would be aimed at typos and used to vaporise ink, all while keeping the paper intact.

4) Feeding your baby during the night led to socialist tendencies

Parents were advised against consoling night-time tears, on the belief that comforting your baby would only make them expect to get their way every time. Going against this advice was likened to “sowing the seeds of socialism.”

5) Flight attendants needed to retire at 32

Back when airlines marketed glamour as much as travel, stewardesses were expected to meet strict physical standards. This wasn’t just for safety, weight checks and beauty inspections were completed, and many airlines had flight attendants retire at age 32.

6) People in the future will work less hours and have longer holidays

Futurists in the 1960s were convinced that technology would make work practically optional by the 21st century. By now, they predicted, we’d all be clocking 30-hour weeks and taking month-long holidays. Sadly, the only thing shorter today seems to be lunch!

7) Rock music was a negative influence on kids

In the 1960s, British teenagers’ love of rock music and the Beatles caused panic among some adults. Long hair, loud guitars, and chaotic music were seen as signs of moral decay. During this time controversial music was banned from the radio, making it ironically more popular.

8) Babies should eat with the family

In one of the more questionable bits of parenting advice, mothers were told that by nine weeks old, their babies should be eating the same meals as everyone else in the family. Even stranger, some claimed this early exposure to “family food” would stop children from developing communist tendencies later in life.

9) Single women should meet men using ‘man bait’

In the 60’s, women often struggled to find a good (rich!) man, so single women were encouraged to get creative. In one 60’s dating book the concept of ‘man bait’ was introduced. This involved wearing a lapel pin with a slogan, one suggested tagline was “Never underestimate the power of a woman,” so that strangers (potential future spouses) would want to start a conversation.  

10) The mini skirt would destroy society

When the mini skirt became a fashion craze in the mid-1960s, many people feared it would lead to moral decay. Teachers, newspapers, and even local councils warned that showing knees could corrupt young women and disrupt traditional social order. Ironically, the style became a symbol of liberation and youth culture.

The weird and wonderful 1960’s

Looking back, the 1960’s were a curious mix of contradictions and curiosities. People dreamed of 30-hour working weeks and month long holidays, yet thought ATM’s were pointless, and rock music would cause moral collapse. Every generation looks back with an eyeroll at what once seemed normal, and in 2085 it probably won’t be any different.