From divorce to secular music…
…Our world has evolved in so many ways. Here are some of the top ones.
1. Divorce
In the past, when you said your marriage vows you were expected to take them very seriously. Before 1857, divorce was only really allowed for men. If you were especially religious, it was even harder. In the past few decades, it has become muuuuuch more common. Almost 50% of marriages in the United States end in seperation or divorce.
2. Homosexuality
People treated homosexuality as an illness and something to be deeply ashamed of. Same sex relationships were not even allowed in many countries, and even today they aren’t allowed in a few. Some Christians still remain hostile toward LGBTQ+ people. Several people were scared to come out because they feared the consequences. Today, many countries, especially America, try their best to represent these people in movies, TV shows, in books, in politics, and more. Several LGBTQ+ celebs have spoken about these topics, and encouraged people to come out. Overall, we are all trying to make sure no one is discriminated because of it. Of course, we’re a long way from everyone accepting these people, but the world sure has improved. Only 1.2-6.8% of adults identify as LGBTQ+, but we need to make sure to accept them for they are.
3. Tattoos
Don’t get me wrong — tattoos were always existent, but in the past people generally associated criminals, sailors, and indigenous people with tattoos. They were even seen as a sign of rebellion for most of the 20th century in Western societies. In the United States, they were once banned in very public spaces like swimming pools or beaches. They became more socially accepted in the late 20th century.
4. Women wearing shorts or trousers
In the 19th and early 20th century, it was considered taboo for women to wear shorts or trousers in public. Women were expected to wear feminine pieces of clothing like skirts or dresses, and they were expected to be modest — those skirts and dresses had to cover their legs. In the early 1900s, women finally started to question these unreasonable social norms. Women helping in WW1 especially started to wear shorts and trousers. They even became popular for women in 1920s and 1930s.
5. Interracial marriages
In the past, interracial marriages were veeery discouraged, and even prohibited because or cultural norms. In the United States, a law was passed called “anti-miscenegation laws” that were being held in multiple states until 1967 when a couple of states declared these laws to be unconstitutional. Even when interracial marriages began to become more widely accepted, many people still viewed them as taboo. Although, since the 21st century, many people’s opinions have begun to shift. Apparently, about 15.1% of marriages are interracial.
6. Discussing mental health issues
Historically, mental health issues were often considered as a sign of weakness and as something to be deeply ashamed of. It was encouraged to keep your struggles private. In a few recent decades, a deeper understanding has come to the topic and more people are begginning to accept it. Mental Health Awareness Month and World Mental Health Day have helped advocate for it. Now, it’s encouraged to see a therapist and talk openly about your struggles. Several celebrities have been open about their struggles, especially Lindsay Lohan and Selena Gomez.
7. Girls making the first move
Men were generally considered to be the ones to make the first move, even today, but in recent years topics about gender roles and relationships have come into view, and it’s becoming more common for women to express interest first. For example, Bumble, a dating app, conducted a survery and 95% have said that they prefer to start conversations and 70% of men say they don’t mind women making the first move.
8. Keeping your maiden name
Traditionally, women were always expected to take their husband’s last name, and keeping your maiden name was seen as odd or even rebellious. In recent decades, it’s become increasingly common for women to keep their maiden name or combining both last names. A survey conducted by The New York Times shows that around 20% of women keep their maiden name after marriage, and in some places this is even higher. This shift shows the changing attitude that women have and how people are becoming increasingly aware of gender roles.
9. Having a kid outside of marriage
Before, women that became pregnant outside of marriage were sometimes kicked out of their families (that still happens sometimes today), or they were forced to give the baby up for adoption that was really hard on the pregnant mothers. If you went to church and you or your daughter had a baby outside of marriage, everyone would most likely be glaring daggers at you. Single mothers were seen as embarrassing or pathetic, which made it difficult for them to support their kids. Not only that, but historically in some societies women you became mothers outside of marriage could face some legal penalties like imprisonment or forced sterilization. Today, having a kid outside of marriage is much more accepted and single mothers are given plenty of support. In 2019, 40% of births were from unmarried women.
10. Phone calls after 9 pm
In the olden days, a phone call after 9 pm was seen as rude or inappropriate - many times both! Today though, a call after 9 pm can be seen as normal because of our evolving technology!
11. Wearing torn clothes
You know those ripped jeans? Or torn cardigans? Those were all considered taboo or even as a sign of poverty or weakness. In the 1950s and 60s, there were strict dress codes that prohibited wearing clothes that had rips or holes in them because they were seen as disrespectful. Although, in the 1980s, wearing these clothes was seen as a rebellion against the traditional style of clothing, and many people still wear them today.
12. Online dating
In the past, people were seen as pretty pathetic to resort to online dating. Many people started to believe that those that resorted to online dating were socially awkward or desperate for love. It was also considered really risky to meet up with a random stranger from the internet. Today though, it’s common to meet someone on Tinder or other popular dating apps because it’s seen as convenient. In fact, my neighbors met on a dating app!
13. Women working outside of home
Historically, women were seen as wives. Caregivers. Food providers. And that’s what they were expected to be. In many different societies, women were restricted from pursuing an actual career or an actual education and were seen as “less than”. If women weren’t stay-at-home moms, they were seen as neglecting their families. Today, women are encouraged to pursue careers and take on big jobs. Several countries have promoted laws that advocate for gender equality. It’s sadly true that some countries are still stuck in the past and restrict the amount of pay women recieve to the amount of pay men recieve.
14. Sex ed in schools
Historically, sex education in schools was very vague or brief, and even non existent. Basically, people just repeated ‘abstinence is key’ and hoped you would listen. They thought discussing such delicate topics in school was seen as inappropriate, and certain groups, especially religious ones, resisted. Today, most people can agree it’s really important to discuss these topics with children as young as eight to ensure they recieve a clear understanding of something so intricate and serious. Several schools give a class on these topics, especially in middle and highschool. 70% of parents actually believe it’s important to delve into these topics.
15. Modern music in church
Secular music was a big NO from churches in the past, and still is in some churches today. Rap, hip hop, and pop music were seen as bad, especially in the Catholic church. Certain instruments like the electric guitar and drums were prohibited, too. Today, though, several churches embrace different types of music like Christian rock, gospel hip hop, and more modern genres they would typically dismiss. Sacred music is still incredibly important, but it’s good to recognize churches have open perspectives.
16. Questioning the Bible
Questioning the Bible was seen as a jaw dropper in several religious settings. The Bible was literally seen as the Word of God and nothing was allowed to go against it. People that questioned their beliefs were often ostracized and sometimes punished. Even so, people pondered the idea of the Bible containing errors and misinterpretations. Many Christians today are beggining to question to their faith and the Bible, and it’s not seen as bad. People interpret it in many different ways, and churches are starting to realize that that’s okay. Of course, there’s still disagreement about it, but everyone is making sure to look at it with open eyes.
17. Use of technology in church
Historically, technology was seen as unethical and unholy in a Christian setting and many churches felt uneasy about the whole thing. Tradition was very important and many religious leaders also felt strange about technology being used in church. Today though, many churches look at using technology as a way to improve the worship experience and engage with the audience. Many churches will project song lyrics and live stream the services to people at home. 50% of churches with congregations of 200-449 people had technology in their churches before Covid-19. That’s some real evolution!
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