Every older relative seems to have at least one belief they swear was “just how things were done back then.” And honestly, some of those ideas sound so wild now that you almost wonder how people kept a straight face while saying them.
I still remember my grandmother insisting that milk would “make my bones unbreakable,” and I believed her for so many years. Later on, I read a study published in The BMJ which found that women who drank more milk had a higher risk of fractures and mortality. The truth is, the 1960s were full of ideas that made sense at the time but feel almost unbelievable today.
People believed smoking was perfectly healthy
It’s hard to imagine now, but cigarettes were once marketed as a wellness accessory. In the early 1960s, around 42 percent of U.S. adults smoked regularly, and doctors even appeared in ads recommending specific brands.
Many truly believed cigarettes helped with stress and digestion. The health risks weren’t widely accepted until the 1964 Surgeon General’s report. It’s wild to think people smoked freely in hospitals, airplanes, and offices without a second thought.
People thought left-handed kids needed correcting
Teachers often forced left-handed students to switch hands, believing left-handedness caused bad handwriting or poor discipline. Some schools even tied kids’ hands to train them.
Today, we know that about 10 percent of the population is naturally left-handed, and it has zero connection to behavior or intelligence. Looking back, it feels unnecessarily strict.
People thought cold weather caused colds
Shivering outside without a jacket was considered a one-way ticket to a week in bed. Science has since shown viruses—not cold temperatures—cause colds.
But in the 1960s, parents wrapped kids in enough layers to survive Antarctica. Even doctors sometimes repeated the belief. Now we know the real culprit is being around people, not chilly air.
Many thought seatbelts were dangerous
Before seatbelt laws, some people believed buckling up actually increased your chance of being trapped. Car companies didn’t even make seatbelts standard until the mid-60s. Drivers often folded the belts under the seats because they “got in the way.”
Studies later showed seatbelts reduce the risk of death by 45 percent, but at the time, many insisted being “thrown clear” was safer. It’s one of those ideas that makes your brain stop for a moment.
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People thought the TV could damage your eyesight permanently
Sitting too close to the TV was the ultimate childhood crime. Parents didn’t know that early TV sets emitted low-level radiation, so the fear made sense for the time.
In 1967, a GE color TV model was recalled for emitting 100,000 times the acceptable radiation limit. After that, the belief stuck hard. Even today, adults repeat this rule out of pure habit.
Many believed butter was healthier than margarine… then margarine became healthier than butter
Food advice in the 60s was a chaotic rollercoaster. First, butter was good because it was “natural.” Then, margarine was healthier because it had less saturated fat.
Decades later, research showed early margarines were high in trans fats, making them worse than butter. People didn’t know what to believe anymore. It’s no wonder older generations shrug at modern nutrition advice.
Many believed unmarried women couldn’t live successful, fulfilled lives
Women in the 1960s were often told their value depended on marriage and children. Being single past 25 earned you labels that were less than kind.
Only 9 percent of women over 30 had never married by the 1970s, compared to more than 35 percent today, per an Institute for Family Studies (IFS) analysis. People genuinely believed single women were doomed to loneliness. Thankfully, that idea didn’t survive.
People thought walking under a ladder truly brought bad luck
This belief goes all the way back to the Middle Ages, but it was still taken seriously 60 years ago. My great-aunt would cross the street to avoid a ladder leaning against a building.
Some people even threw salt over their shoulders for extra protection. Today it’s mostly a fun superstition, not a life-or-death precaution. But older relatives still warn you with a look.
Parents believed sugar made kids behave better
Some parents in the 1960s gave kids extra sugar to calm them down. Today, we know sugar spikes energy, not serenity, yet back then, a cookie was seen as a mood stabilizer. The myth was so common that schools often handed out sugary snacks at lunchtime.
Research in the 1990s finally debunked it after clinical studies showed sugar doesn’t cause hyperactivity. Still, imagine giving a rowdy kid a soda and hoping for peace.
Many believed milk cured almost anything
In the 1960s, milk was the universal remedy. Upset stomach? Drink milk. Tired? Drink milk. Trouble sleeping? Drink milk.
Schools even pushed the “milk makes strong bodies” campaign, and per-person consumption was nearly double what it is today. People practically treated milk like medicine.
Many believed flying was only for the wealthy
Air travel in the 1960s had a luxury reputation. Tickets cost the modern equivalent of thousands of dollars, and flying was treated like an event—complete with fancy clothing and full meals. Only a small segment of the population could afford it regularly.
People thought you couldn’t swim after eating for at least an hour
Almost every parent repeated this rule. The belief was that blood would rush to your stomach for digestion and leave your arms and legs too weak to stay afloat.
There’s no scientific basis for this, but it became a universal summertime law. Researchers eventually clarified that swimming after eating is totally safe. Yet many people still hesitate before jumping back in the pool.
Many believed spanking was a necessary part of parenting
The idea of “spare the rod, spoil the child” was widely accepted. In the 1960s, the majority of parents used corporal punishment at home.
Schools also allowed paddling in most states. Today, only a few states still allow corporal punishment in schools.
Key takeaways
Beliefs from 60 years ago often reflect a world with different scientific knowledge, social expectations, and cultural norms. Many ideas that once felt completely reasonable now seem absurd or even dangerous.
Looking back helps us appreciate how much society has evolved—and how quickly beliefs can shift. It also reminds us that some “common sense” ideas today might seem just as strange to future generations.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
Disclosure: This article was developed with the assistance of AI and was subsequently reviewed, revised, and approved by our editorial team.
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