Weird things people believed 60 years ago

In the 1960s, people believed some pretty wild theories about everything from social sciences to health and technology. Although 60 years isn't really that long ago, our knowledge of the world around us has increased exponentially.

Take a look at some of the craziest things people believed 60 years ago in the following gallery.

Laser erasers were the greatest technology advancement

While lasers are now used for treatments like eye surgery and tattoo removal, one of their original purposes was to correct typewriter errors. It involved lining up a huge laser gun with the error on the paper and firing. The effect usually took 15-20 seconds.

The wife's job was to provide an orderly home

In a similar sense, women were instructed to keep the house clean and orderly at all times for their husbands.

Gun handling classes must be taught in school

Four states allowed gun handling classes to be taught to public elementary school students. It was believed that children must understand gun safety to avoid the accidents that occur when children play with guns.

Flight attendants must retire at 32

Stewardesses were held to high physical standards in order to perform their job duties and maintain the airline's image and status. Until 1972, a flight attendant was forced to retire on her 32nd birthday.

State-run lotteries were a moral affront

Government lotteries were illegal 60 years ago. New Hampshire was the first state to pass legislation to allow a lotto to raise money for schools. However, people were initially outraged that the state was using gambling to fund their government activities.

Smoking relieved pregnancy constipation

While today women are encouraged to eat more fiber when suffering from constipation, 60 years ago, all they had to do was take up smoking.

Calling girls "fat dumplings"

When a young girl lacked in charm, she was sent to a school of etiquette. These charm schools encouraged various behaviors, including some that were geared specifically towards overweight little girls, or as they were called, "fat dumplings."

There is no such thing as marital rape

It was believed that marital rape was impossible. In fact, if a woman refused sex to her husband, it was grounds for divorce.

Conversion therapy works

Conversion therapy was a popular tool used and recommended for homosexual individuals. Being gay was considered a mental illness, and many different therapies were used to "turn people straight." Although some people still believe this is possible, the number was far greater 60 years ago.

Babies should adjust to the normal eating habits of the family as soon as possible

By the time a baby was nine weeks old, they should be eating the same foods as the rest of the family. Even more shocking was that this was somehow linked to preventing the child from growing up to be a communist.

Rock music corrupts kids

The rock 'n roll genre was introduced to younger generations in the 50s and 60s, bringing with it a new culture and way of thinking. Older generations demonized the music genre, with many establishments preventing it from being played.

Pregnant women should not cut their hair

Pregnancy hormones were seen as influencing a woman's behavior to the point in which she should not be trusted to make any big life decisions, including getting a haircut.

Women must "sound pretty" to get a boyfriend

Good speech was a womanly virtue in the 60s, meaning that a woman must always speak quietly and gently. In order to accomplish this, teenage girls were encouraged to hold a matchstick between their teeth while talking on the phone. If the other person could tell it was there, they needed more practice.