8 Things That Used to Be Inappropriate but Are Now Totally Normal

As society progresses, our norms and expectations shift accordingly. What was once considered inappropriate or even taboo has often become widely accepted. In this article, we’ll delve into eight practices that have transitioned from being viewed as unconventional to being recognized as completely normal.

Being child-free

For centuries, having children was regarded as a fundamental part of adulthood and a societal expectation. Those who chose to remain child-free were often met with suspicion.

Today, the choice to be child-free is increasingly recognized as a valid lifestyle option. Many people are now embracing this choice for a range of reasons, including personal preference, financial considerations, and environmental concerns.

Breastfeeding in public

Breastfeeding is a natural and important part of motherhood, yet for many years, it was considered a taboo topic.

Thanks to the rise of the breastfeeding movement and increased awareness of its benefits, society has become more accepting of this natural act. Today, laws protect a mother’s right to breastfeed in public, and many establishments provide private and comfortable spaces for women to nurse their babies. As a result, mothers are now more empowered to feed their babies whenever and wherever they need to without fear of judgment or stigma.

Men expressing emotions

Traditional gender roles have often discouraged men from showing vulnerability or sensitivity. Guys who cried or showed strong emotions were labeled as weak or unmanly. Therefore, they had no option but to suppress their emotions to conform to societal expectations.

Luckily, there’s been a shift in attitude and a greater understanding of the harmful effects of toxic masculinity. The breaking of this taboo has helped to empower men to express themselves more freely. Also, it created a more inclusive and supportive society for everyone.

Divorce

Divorce was once widely seen as a personal failure, heavily stigmatized by society. Those who experienced it, particularly women, often faced harsh judgment.

In recent years, however, the stigma surrounding divorce has diminished. It is now more commonly accepted as a valid choice for individuals seeking happiness outside of an unfulfilling marriage.

Menstruation

Menstruation has long been considered a “dirty” or “impure” process, leading many women to feel embarrassed about their periods.

However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement to break down the taboo around menstruation. Women are now speaking out more openly about their experiences with periods, and organizations are working to improve access to menstrual products and education.

Women keeping their maiden names

Traditionally, when women got married, they’d take their husbands’ last names as a sign of their new union. This practice was deeply ingrained in many cultures and was often seen as a necessary step in becoming “one” under marriage.

However, recently, more women have started to challenge this tradition by choosing to keep their maiden names after marriage.

Visible tattoos

People with visible tattoos were often discriminated against in the workplace and in society in general. However, in recent years, tattoos have become more mainstream and accepted as a form of self-expression.

Body hair

Body hair is one of the hot topics that many prefer to keep quiet about. It wasn’t so long ago that women were spending $10,000 on shaving products and services throughout their lifetime, according to a survey. This number is appalling, so it’s no wonder more women are choosing not to remove their body hair these days, and it has become quite normal. At times, societal expectations are just stereotypes that you don’t have to adhere to.

Stay tuned and be sure to check out our other article, where we highlight outdated beauty standards that modern women can confidently move beyond.