Ways BFF Relationships Have Changed From the ’70s Versus Today
Best friends have always been important. Whether it was in the 1970s or now in the 2020s, having a BFF means having someone who knows your secrets, shares your laughs, and stands by you when life gets messy. But while the feeling of friendship hasn’t changed much, the way we experience and maintain BFF relationships has transformed a lot over the decades.
Let’s take a look at how best friend relationships in the ’70s compare to today—and what those changes say about how the world itself has evolved.
1. How Friends Met
In the ’70s:
Most BFFs met through school, work, family, or the neighborhood. You played outside, hung out on the same block, or went to the same hangout spots. Friendship grew naturally through time spent together in person.
Today:
People still meet at school and work—but now they also meet online. Social media, gaming, and apps make it possible to become BFFs with someone who lives in another city or even another country.
Then: Local.
Now: Global.
2. Communication Styles
In the ’70s:
Friends talked face-to-face or on the phone—often on a shared family landline. Long conversations happened after dinner, and letters were sometimes written if someone moved away.
Today:
Texts, voice notes, video calls, memes, group chats, and DMs. Communication is constant and instant.
Then: Wait to talk.
Now: Talk anytime.
3. Hanging Out
In the ’70s:
You knocked on your friend’s door. You rode bikes. You met at the mall, the park, or the arcade. Hanging out meant being physically together.
Today:
You still hang out in person—but also online. Watching shows together on FaceTime, gaming, sharing TikToks, reacting to posts.
Then: Physical presence.
Now: Digital + physical.
4. Privacy vs. Sharing
In the ’70s:
Secrets stayed between two people. There was no internet to expose every thought or moment. If your BFF knew something, it was because you told them personally.
Today:
Friends know your life through posts, stories, and snaps. Sometimes your BFF learns news at the same time as everyone else.
Then: Private by default.
Now: Public by habit.
5. Distance and Long-Distance BFFs
In the ’70s:
If your best friend moved away, it was hard. Letters took time. Phone calls were limited. Many friendships faded because of distance.
Today:
Distance barely matters. You can FaceTime every day, share moments instantly, and stay emotionally close no matter where you live.
Then: Distance broke bonds.
Now: Distance just changes the format.
6. Conflict and Drama
In the ’70s:
Arguments happened face-to-face. You fought, cooled off, and made up. There was no screenshotting or posting about it online.
Today:
Drama can spread fast. Screenshots, group chats, and social media can make conflicts bigger and more public.
Then: Personal problems stayed personal.
Now: Problems can go viral.
7. Support Systems
In the ’70s:
Your BFF was your main emotional outlet. You went to them with your problems, and they were often your biggest support.
Today:
BFFs are still important—but people also rely on online communities, therapists, and social networks.
Then: One or two people were everything.
Now: Support is spread out.
8. Activities and Interests
In the ’70s:
You shared music on vinyl, watched the same TV shows at the same time, and went to concerts or dances together.
Today:
You send playlists, binge shows on demand, share reels, and go to festivals or virtual events.
Then: Shared moments happened live.
Now: Shared moments happen anytime.
9. Memory Keeping
In the ’70s:
Memories lived in photo albums and your mind. You had a few blurry pictures and a lot of stories.
Today:
Everything is documented. Thousands of photos, videos, chats, and posts record your friendship in real time.
Then: Memories were selective.
Now: Memories are endless.
10. Expectations of Friendship
In the ’70s:
You didn’t expect your BFF to reply instantly. Time and space were normal parts of relationships.
Today:
Fast replies are expected. Being “left on read” can feel like rejection.
Then: Patience was normal.
Now: Speed is expected.
11. Loyalty and Circles
In the ’70s:
Friend groups were smaller. You usually had one or two very close friends.
Today:
People often have many “close” friends online—but fewer deep ones in real life.
Then: Small circle, deep bonds.
Now: Big circle, mixed depth.
12. Growing Apart
In the ’70s:
If you grew apart, it was gradual and often quiet.
Today:
You can watch someone grow away from you in real time through posts and stories.
Then: Fading was invisible.
Now: Fading is public.
13. Language and Expression
In the ’70s:
Friends expressed love and loyalty through actions and time spent together.
Today:
You express it with emojis, memes, reposts, and tags.
Then: Showed love by showing up.
Now: Show love by sharing.
14. What Hasn’t Changed
Despite all the differences, some things stay the same:
• BFFs still laugh at inside jokes
• Still support each other through heartbreak
• Still celebrate wins together
• Still feel like family
Technology changed the how—not the why.
Final Thought
BFF relationships in the ’70s were slower, quieter, and more private. Today they’re faster, louder, and more connected than ever before. But the heart of friendship—trust, loyalty, humor, and love—has stayed exactly the same.
