8 Things That Used to Be Taboo and Are Normal Today

As society evolves, so do our standards and expectations. Things that were once considered taboo or socially unacceptable are now widely accepted and commonplace. In this article, we’ll explore 8 practices that were deemed inappropriate back in the day but are pretty normal now.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Divorce

Many people viewed divorce as a failure of the individuals involved. It was often stigmatized in society, and those who went through it, especially women, were judged harshly by others.

However, over the years, the stigma around divorce has lessened, and it has become more widely accepted as a legitimate option for those who are unhappy in their marriages.

6. Wearing torn clothes

People who wore torn clothes or ripped jeans were often seen as unkempt or disrespectful.

However, in recent years, ripped clothing has become a fashion trend and is now widely accepted as a form of self-expression. Many fashion designers have incorporated torn or ripped clothing into their collections, and it is now common to see people wearing ripped jeans or other types of distressed clothing.

7. 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.

8. Being child-free

For centuries, having children was seen as a necessary step in adulthood and was often considered a societal norm. People who chose not to have children were often viewed with suspicion.

Nowadays, being child-free has become more widely accepted as a legitimate lifestyle choice. Many people are now opting for this option for a variety of reasons, including personal preference, financial stability, and environmental concerns.