The 1980s weren’t all neon windbreakers, cassette tapes, and big hair. Looking back, there were plenty of everyday habits that seemed completely normal at the time but would likely spark concern, confusion, or at least a few raised eyebrows today.

From parenting styles to safety standards, life was simply different. Here are nine common habits from the ’80s that most people wouldn’t think twice about back then, but might get a different reaction today.

Playing Outside Until Dark With No Supervision

Many kids in the ’80s would leave the house after breakfast and spend the entire day riding bikes, exploring neighborhoods, and hanging out with friends. Parents often had little idea where their children were, relying on a simple rule: be home before the streetlights came on.

Watching R-Rated Movies as Kids

Movies like RoboCop, The Terminator, and Aliens became childhood favorites for plenty of kids who probably weren’t the intended audience. Parents were generally less concerned about age ratings, and many children grew up watching films that would leave modern parents cringing.

Riding in Cars Without Seat Belts

Today, buckling up is second nature for most people. In the ’80s, however, many passengers treated seat belts as optional, and it wasn’t unusual for kids to ride in the backseat without being strapped in at all.

Biking Without a Helmet

Bike helmets weren’t nearly as common as they are today. Many children spent years riding bicycles, skateboards, and even dirt bikes without any protective gear beyond scraped knees and a little luck.

Drinking Water From the Garden Hose

After hours of playing outside, kids rarely went indoors for a drink. Instead, they would turn on the nearest garden hose and gulp down warm hose water without giving a second thought to where it came from.

Using Baby Powder for Everything

Baby powder wasn’t just for babies; it was a household staple. People sprinkled it in shoes, used it as a body powder, applied it to rashes, and even relied on it as a quick fix for sweaty skin.

Smoking in Public Places

It was once common to encounter cigarette smoke almost everywhere you went. Restaurants, airplanes, shopping malls, offices, and even some hospitals allowed smoking, exposing countless people to secondhand smoke on a daily basis.

Leaving Kids Home Alone

Many children in the ’80s came home from school to an empty house and were expected to entertain themselves until their parents returned from work. Some parents even left younger children alone for short periods, something that would attract far more scrutiny today.

Piling Into the Back of a Pickup Truck

Before stricter safety regulations became widespread, riding in the open bed of a pickup truck was often viewed as a fun adventure. Whether heading to a ball game, the beach, or a family gathering, plenty of kids rode in the back without anyone thinking much about the risks.