11 Things That Were Banned in Schools During the 70s and 80s
As students embraced new fashions, gadgets, and pastimes during 1970s and 1980s, teachers and administrators scrambled to maintain order and discipline.
In an effort to curb distractions, promote decorum, and enforce “proper” behavior, schools banned a surprising range of items. Some of these bans were understandable, others? Downright hilarious in hindsight.
See what were those bans and judge for yourself.
1. Mini Skirts
Mini skirts were the ultimate fashion statement of the late ’60s and ’70s. They were fun, stylish, and a little rebellious—which meant schools hated them.
As hemlines rose, so did concerns about “classroom distractions” and “improper attire.” School dress codes cracked down hard, enforcing strict length rules. Some schools even made girls kneel on the floor to measure if their skirts were too short!
Despite the bans, students continued pushing the limits, using creativity (or a well-placed sweater around the waist) to sneak their miniskirts past hall monitors. Fashion always finds a way.
2. Walkmans
Before smartphones and AirPods, the Walkman was the must-have gadget of the ’80s. Finally, students could walk the halls with a soundtrack playing in their ears.
But schools saw these portable cassette players as the enemy of classroom attention spans. Instead of listening to their teachers, students were blasting Madonna, Prince, or The Clash under their desks.
Cue the widespread ban—no more rocking out during study hall. If you were caught zoning out with headphones, expect your Walkman to spend the semester in the principal’s drawer.
3. Leather Jackets
Leather jackets were more than just outerwear—they were a symbol of cool. Whether inspired by James Dean, The Ramones, or Fonzie from Happy Days, rocking a leather jacket instantly upped your street cred.
Naturally, schools weren’t having it. Authorities feared these jackets meant trouble—gang affiliations, bad attitudes, and general rowdiness. Some schools banned them outright, insisting on more “appropriate” attire.
Of course, that only made leather jackets even cooler. If a ban makes something “dangerous,” teens are guaranteed to love it even more.
4. Chewing Gum
Chewing gum: harmless fun or teacher’s nightmare?
For students, it was just a casual treat—or a fun way to annoy the teacher by blowing bubbles mid-lesson. For schools, it was a sticky epidemic.
Desks, floors, and even hair fell victim to rogue gum wads. To avoid spending hours scraping dried gum off furniture, many schools banned it entirely.
But that didn’t stop students from smuggling packs of Hubba Bubba and Bubble Yum into class. Sneaky gum-chewers perfected the art of chewing quietly with their mouths shut. Some risks were worth taking.
5. Denim Jeans
Believe it or not, jeans weren’t always welcome in schools. In the ’70s, denim was still associated with counterculture and rebellion—hippies, rock stars, and blue-collar workers.
Administrators saw bell-bottoms and ripped jeans as a sign of casual disrespect, enforcing strict dress codes that required slacks or skirts instead.
Luckily, by the late ’80s, jeans had officially won the battle. Today, it’s hard to imagine a school where denim isn’t the unofficial student uniform.
6. Colored Hair
Brightly colored hair was a surefire way to get sent home in the ’80s. Whether it was electric blue, fiery red, or punk-rock green, schools saw it as a major distraction.
Some teachers claimed it would “disrupt the learning environment”, while others just didn’t like how it looked.
But that didn’t stop kids from trying. Many students snuck in subtle highlights or used Kool-Aid as makeshift dye to push the boundaries. And let’s be real—a rebellious streak never fades.
7. Yo-Yos
At first glance, yo-yos seem harmless. But in the ’70s and ’80s, they were the cause of total classroom anarchy.
Students got competitive, practicing tricks instead of paying attention. Yo-yos flew across the room, bonking classmates in the head. Eventually, schools had enough—the ban hammer came down hard.
Of course, banning something only made it more popular. Kids started sneaking them into school, perfecting their yo-yo skills under desks.
8. Mohawk Hairstyles
Nothing said “I reject authority” like a spiky mohawk. Inspired by punk icons like The Sex Pistols and The Clash, students who rocked this look were instant rebels.
Schools, of course, hated it. Teachers thought tall, colorful mohawks were distracting (and probably a sign of the impending collapse of civilization). So, they enforced strict hair rules.
Still, rebellious students found ways to defy the system—even if it meant hiding the mohawk under a beanie until the final school bell rang.
9. Slap Bracelets
Slap bracelets were everywhere in the late ’80s. These fun, colorful accessories wrapped around your wrist with a satisfying snap—and kids loved them.
Unfortunately, schools did not. After reports of cheap knockoffs cutting wrists, schools banned slap bracelets en masse.
It didn’t matter if yours was the soft, harmless kind—if a teacher saw it, you were sent straight to the principal’s office.
10. Trapper Keepers
Who knew a simple binder could cause so much drama?
Trapper Keepers were THE ultimate school supply, with their bright colors, Velcro flaps, and built-in organizers. But teachers hated them. The loud rip of Velcro during lessons was a constant annoyance, and students spent more time doodling on them than actually taking notes.
Eventually, many schools banned Trapper Keepers, forcing students to use boring, standard binders instead.
11. Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons, the classic tabletop role-playing game, became a huge hit in the ’80s—but not everyone was thrilled.
Some teachers saw it as a dangerous distraction from schoolwork. Others, thanks to the Satanic Panic of the 1980s, believed it promoted witchcraft and devil worship (spoiler: it didn’t).
Despite bans in some schools, students kept playing in secret—rolling dice in basements, passing character sheets under desks, and proving that fantasy storytelling wasn’t going anywhere.