Why Are We Still Doing This? 7 Traditions That Make No Sense Anymore

We know people like to cling to their traditions as if their lives depended on it, but they very likely do not. Traditions often provide a sense of continuity and belonging, but some have outlived their usefulness or simply seem silly in modern times. 

So we want to highlight some traditions many people think are silly and unnecessary these days. What do you think? Could we all survive without these customs?

 1. Wives Taking Their Husbands’ Last Names

This tradition stems from a time when women were considered property (ew) and had to take their husband’s last names to signify the transfer of ownership. In today’s world, where gender equality is increasingly emphasized, this practice appears outdated. 

Some couples now choose to hyphenate their last names or even create a new one together. However, changing your last name at all is a hassle and creates bureaucratic inconveniences. We’re ready to see husbands start taking their wives’ names because why not? But overall, we don’t understand why names have to change at all. 

 2. Ridiculously Expensive Funerals

Funerals can be exorbitantly expensive, often costing families thousands of dollars. Because the first thing you want to do after losing a loved one is go into debt over a wooden box, right? 

This tradition of excessive spending during a time of grief can place an undue financial burden on families. Alternatives like simple memorial services or direct cremations are becoming more popular as people seek to honor their loved ones without the financial strain. No grieving person should have to put themselves in financial trouble to properly say goodbye to a loved one. 

 3. Gender Reveal Parties

Initially intended as a fun way to announce the sex of an unborn child, gender reveal parties have escalated into elaborate and sometimes dangerous events. And the extreme focus on the unborn babies’ genitals is… weird. 

There have been numerous incidents involving property damage and even wildfires caused by these celebrations. But more importantly, the focus on gender at birth is problematic, as it doesn’t account for the complexities of gender identity. It also gives us an icky feeling to see fathers have negative reactions to finding out it’s a girl, but that issue goes far beyond a pink or blue cake. 

 4. Post Offices Closing on Sundays

In an era of 24/7 digital communication, the tradition of closing post offices on Sundays seems increasingly impractical. We work on Sundays and would love it if we could get mail too. With the rise of online shopping and the demand for faster delivery services, many argue that postal services should be available every day of the week to meet modern needs.

Furthermore, the post office being closed on Sundays began as a religious protest, so that’s not very secular. In a handful of places, USPS has started delivering mail on Sundays, but we’re ready for it to be a national thing. 

 5. Smashing Cakes Into faces

The tradition of smashing cakes into people’s faces during weddings or birthdays can be messy and even harmful. Cakes might seem soft, but having your head slammed into almost any material is going to be unpleasant. 

There have been instances where hidden objects in cakes have caused injuries. This practice often detracts from the celebration and can leave lasting negative impressions. Do you really want your bestie to push your face into frosting on your special day? With friends like that, who needs friends?

 6. Asking Dads for Their Daughters’ Hands

This wedding tradition has been around forever (since ancient times), but we’re over it. Traditionally, a man is supposed to ask his girlfriend’s father for her “hand in marriage” a.k.a. permission to marry her. Then, the father gives his blessing, and the man can propose, or not.

We’re not getting married at 17 years old anymore. Most women are fully independent adults by the time they get engaged, so it’s a little insulting that our father’s opinion comes before ours. Sure, the kind gesture towards the father of your partner can be nice, but it belittles women’s autonomy in their relationships and lives. 

 7. Maintaining Creepily Perfect Lawns

At this point, a glowing green, perfectly trimmed lawn gives us “disturbia” vibes. The obsession with manicured lawns is not only labor-intensive but also environmentally unfriendly. Lawns require significant water, pesticides, and maintenance, contributing to environmental degradation. 

Alternatives like xeriscaping or using native plants are more sustainable and increasingly popular. And these ideas actually have some personality and uniqueness to them! We don’t need our house to look exactly like our neighbors’. In fact, we’d rather it didn’t. 

Putting Traditions on Trial

Babies being subjected to gender roles before they’re born, women adhering to inherently misogynistic ideas, and ruined birthday cakes are just some of the disturbing results of these traditions. 

If you feel strongly that one of these traditions needs to say, we’d like you to really, honestly, deeply think about why. 

What does this tradition contribute to the people involved? Who does it benefit? Why did it start? Is it necessary? “It’s tradition!” or “We’ve always done it that way!” are not valid arguments, so consider reconsidering these kinds of traditions. 

8 Horrific Traditions That Need to End (And 2 That Are Thankfully Abolished)

One of the worst things humans do is continue terrible behavior simply because “it’s always been done.” And many harmful traditions go far beyond mild and annoying ones like gender reveal parties. 

Abusive traditional practices persist in many parts of the world, often justified by cultural norms but causing significant harm to individuals and communities. These disturbing traditions encompass a range of behaviors that violate human rights and animal rights, causing physical or psychological harm, particularly to women and girls. 

While some harmful traditions are deeply rooted in some societies, there are examples of successful abolition efforts. Learn more about the ongoing horrors we need to stop, and some that have already been put to an end. 

READ: 8 Horrific Traditions That Need to End (And 2 That Are Thankfully Abolished)

Can The Human Body Adapt To The Rising Heat? And What Are We Doing If We Can’t?

As climate change intensifies, the human body’s ability to adapt to rising temperatures is becoming a critical concern. According to Dr. Camilo Mora, an expert on heat’s effects on human physiology, “The human body has remarkable adaptability to heat, but there are limits to how much we can physiologically adapt to rising temperatures due to climate change.” This introduction explores the extent of our physiological adaptations, the challenges we face as global temperatures climb, and the potential consequences if our bodies fail to keep pace with environmental changes.

READ: Can The Human Body Adapt To The Rising Heat? And What Are We Doing If We Can’t?

Why Do Mosquitos Seem To Like Me So Much, and What Can I Do About It?

Have you ever wondered why mosquitoes seem to prefer biting some people over others? Understanding the reasons behind this can help in mitigating their impact. Mosquitoes are attracted to certain individuals due to factors like body odor, carbon dioxide, and body heat. These pests are not just annoying; they can also carry dangerous diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus. In this article, we explore why mosquitoes are drawn to specific people, the health risks they pose, and effective strategies to protect yourself from their bites.

READ: Why Do Mosquitos Seem To Like Me So Much, and What Can I Do About It?

Is There A Link Between Being A ‘Good Girl’ And Autoimmune Disease In Women?

Women Rising®, an 11x award-winning women’s empowerment and media company founded by autoimmune-diagnosed, 15x award-winning documentary filmmaker, Sara Hirsh Bordo, recently released findings from Autoimmunity and the “Good Girls” ™  the first-ever sociological survey exploring the intersection between empowerment and autoimmunity in American women. READ: Is There A Link Between Being A ‘Good Girl’ And Autoimmune Disease In Women?

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