15 Classic American Traditions on the Brink of Extinction
Technology changes each year, as do cultural habits and our favorite traditions. Unfortunately, many classic American traditions have gradually died out over the years. As such, they have been replaced by different customs and a modern lifestyle.
A 2022 survey found that 70 percent of Americans believe traditions have less value today than they used to. Examine a few of these vanishing customs to see if any bring back a bit of nostalgia and maybe make you want to keep a few around.
Sunday Family Dinners
Do you recall when Sunday dinner was a sacred family gathering? We sat down with each other and ate hearty meals. For most of us, it was a ritual. These days, only about 30 percent of families sit down to have dinner together at the dinner table.
Busy schedules and takeout apps have replaced the classic Sunday family dinner with Fast food and eating “on the go.” This tradition created family bonds that ran deep and were worth holding on to in our fast-paced lives.
Bowling Leagues
Bowling was the week’s social event back in the ’50s and ’60s. Catching up with friends, throwing and bowling league, and even competing in a little friendly competition sometimes was a way to unwind.
According to a 2015 article by USA Today, the number of bowling alleys in the United States fell by about 26 percent between 1998 and 2013, from 3,976 to 5,400. Bowling alleys are still around, but most trips are casual and occasional, without that same community level.
Writing Thank-You Notes
Although gratitude isn’t going anywhere, handwritten thank-you notes seem to be. The decades-old tradition of sending a personal thank you card has gone out the window in an age of text messages and emails.
A Hallmark study found that card sales are down 13 percent in the last ten years. There’s something special about receiving a handwritten note; it’s personal and thoughtful, but sadly, it’s a lost art in our digital world.
Church Attendance
Church attendance, on the other hand, is plummeting. Only 3 out of 10 American adults report regularly attending religious services, 21 percent report doing so weekly, and 9 percent report nearly weekly, according to a poll released by Gallup.
Gatherings take place weekly, but a sense of community that is fostered is quickly dwindling with the growing number of people who seek online worship or who distance themselves from organized religion altogether.
Door-to-Door Trick-or-Treating
Do you recall dressing up in costumes, knocking on doors, and yelling, ‘Trick or treat? ‘ That old Halloween tradition is on the wane. According to The Mirror, fewer teens dress up for trick or treating on Halloween.
Because of safety issues, many opt for a trunk-or-treat event in a parking lot or don’t have candy. It’s sad to think spooky front porch candy hunts might soon be a thing of the past.
Sewing and Mending Clothes
Sewing was common in every household. Some fathers, mothers, and grandmothers would patch up torn jeans or sew new clothes.
Fewer households these days own a sewing machine than in the 1970s. As fashion becomes more disposable, so does the skill of sewing, a practical and creative tradition.
Neighborhood Block Parties
Before social media, neighbors would gather. BBQs, music, and games were the order of the day, which further cemented community bonds.
A Pew survey finds that only 26 percent of Americans know their neighbors well today. As people move more often and spend more time indoors, the tradition of the neighborhood block party is disappearing.
Watching Saturday Morning Cartoons
Kids used to spend endless hours on Saturday mornings with bowls of sugary cereal and endless hours of cartoons.
But thanks to streaming services like Netflix, kids now have 24/7 access to their favorite shows, and the Saturday morning cartoon marathon is now a thing of the past. Nielsen found that live TV viewership for children’s programming has fallen 20.8% over the past decade.
Front Porch Sitting
The front porch was the social heart of our homes in the early 20th century. People would sit outside, chat with neighbors, and watch the world go by. Since air conditioning and backyard decks came, front porches have become more ornamental than functional.
Cursive Handwriting
Learning cursive used to be a rite of passage in elementary school, but with the increasing use of technology, fewer schools are teaching it. In 2016, only 14 states of U.S. schools required students to learn cursive.
It’s a shame, as studies show that writing by hand can improve memory and cognitive function. Plus, who doesn’t appreciate a beautifully written signature?
Roller Rinks
After being the place of choice for teens in the ‘70s and ‘80s, roller rinks are disappearing fast. Roller skating still exists in parks and on the streets, but the communal atmosphere of the rink, with its neon lights and music, slowly goes by the wayside.
Camping Without Technology
Camping used to be ‘no phone, no screen, just you and nature.’ Even today, people on the most rugged outdoor trips do so with GPS, portable chargers, and social media updates.
Kampgrounds of America found in a survey that 83 percent of campers now use some form of technology when they hit the trail. Unplugging in the great outdoors is as simple as it was meant to be, and that tradition should be kept.
Playing Board Games as a Family
Before video games or cell phones were invented, families sat around a dining table playing Monopoly, Scrabble, or Clue for hours and hours.
These days, many families prefer video or online games over board games. Digital games can be instant entertainment, but they don’t offer face-to-face engagement.
Mailing Holiday Cards
Sending holiday cards is outdated. Hallmark reported that holiday card sales had dwindled 13% in past years. Today, more and more people choose to send digital greetings or quick text messages. There is still something sentimental about receiving a card in the mail, so it’s a tradition that I think we should never break.
Phone Calls Just to Chat
Back then, it was normal to call a friend or a family member to catch up. Nowadays, with the existence of texting and messaging apps, the classic phone call is almost obsolete. Texting is convenient, but a voice on the other end of a line is nothing irreplaceable.
These traditions are teetering on the brink. Maybe it’s now time to focus a little bit on the nostalgia and somehow revive the ways that these traditions brought us together. Traditions are more than just habits; they are how our shared experiences are sewn together. Which of these will you try to keep alive?
Disclaimer- This article is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information
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