It is impossible to imagine human history without traditions or holidays of some sort. They’re a core part of who we are, just like spirituality, creativity, and enjoying a darn good home-cooked meal. We’re hardwired to be social and empathetic, after all, so there’s a constant inner desire to connect to the people around us. Celebrating things on a regular basis is a way to do just that.
However, no traditions fully withstand the test of time. All of them change to some extent. Others disappear completely. The members of the r/AskAnAmerican online community considered exactly this question, sharing which US traditions and holidays they believe might become completely obsolete over the next few decades. Scroll down to read their thoughts on this, including why Halloween and Christmas might look very different in the future.
Bored Panda wanted to learn more about holidays and traditions, so we got in touch with Glenn Geher, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz and a published author. We also reached out to redditor u/Extreme-Routine3822 who started the viral online discussion in the first place. You'll find our interviews with both of them as you read on.
#21
College homecoming celebrations. When I was a student the homecoming parade was a BIG deal, as were the other events surrounding it. Great time to be in Greek Life!
This past Saturday was our school's homecoming, and there was *nothing*. A group of alumni met at a favorite college bar for a little while, but it was just a group of guys who graduated in the 80's/early 90's. My little bro and I went to the house and ran into 2 actives--most had gone home for the weekend. No parties, just a normal, quiet Saturday afternoon.
The university canceled the floats (and soon after, the entire parade) years ago. COVID killed the rest of the social events surrounding homecoming. It's all very dead, and feels so surreal...
This past Saturday was our school's homecoming, and there was *nothing*. A group of alumni met at a favorite college bar for a little while, but it was just a group of guys who graduated in the 80's/early 90's. My little bro and I went to the house and ran into 2 actives--most had gone home for the weekend. No parties, just a normal, quiet Saturday afternoon.
The university canceled the floats (and soon after, the entire parade) years ago. COVID killed the rest of the social events surrounding homecoming. It's all very dead, and feels so surreal...
8points
#22
Memorial Day, fewer and fewer people are actually going out and decorating graves.
Report
6points
#23
Agriculture based school year. In favor of a year round with quarterly breaks. Some parts of the country have already done this. I would expect more to follow. Possibly based on the new typical weather patterns & school setup in the local region.
Maybe some places get a longer break during hurricane season. Others during the Nor Easter season. Others based on the peak heat or main employer in the area.
Of course that assumes we still have a department of education in 25 years. I hope not but I suppose public schools could be a thing of the past altogether depending on how things go next month.
Maybe some places get a longer break during hurricane season. Others during the Nor Easter season. Others based on the peak heat or main employer in the area.
Of course that assumes we still have a department of education in 25 years. I hope not but I suppose public schools could be a thing of the past altogether depending on how things go next month.
5points
#24
This is more state specific, but hopefully Robert E Lee's birthday, Jefferson Davis' birthday, and Columbus Day.
4points
#25
Halloween will still be a thing but with Covid and hillocopter parenting, the kids today are probably the last generation to trick or treat.
A coworker of mine just posted in our team chat that in her town, only those who post in advance on Google get their houses listed as trick or treat sites. If they aren't on the map, then people don't come.
Trunk or treats are everywhere here and not just at churches, but secular things too. Our town, the state park, the womens college basketball team, the army Corp of engineers park, etc.
I think in another 20-30 years Thanksgiving and the big Thanksgiving dinner won't be so much of a thing but it's still going strong now. That would make me sad because it's my favorite meal of the year and I love the Harvest season.
A coworker of mine just posted in our team chat that in her town, only those who post in advance on Google get their houses listed as trick or treat sites. If they aren't on the map, then people don't come.
Trunk or treats are everywhere here and not just at churches, but secular things too. Our town, the state park, the womens college basketball team, the army Corp of engineers park, etc.
I think in another 20-30 years Thanksgiving and the big Thanksgiving dinner won't be so much of a thing but it's still going strong now. That would make me sad because it's my favorite meal of the year and I love the Harvest season.
Report
4points
#26
Easter. It seems to be that many nonchristians worldwide do celebrate Christmas, but not Easter. It was once a much bigger holiday in the western nations. Perhaps some kind of spring holiday, generic, will replace it.
3points
#27
I teach in a predominantly hispanic region of the United States, and my students were baffled that I actually do something for Saint Patrick's Day. They had never even heard of corned beef and cabbage.
Report
1point
#28
As strange as it sounds to some people, I think Easter is one that's going/gone except for religious Christian people. This may also be true in Canada as when I was up there in April for the eclipse, I was asked how I spent 'the long weekend' (they get Good Friday & Easter Monday off) so everyone must just take it to just be a few extra days off from work. In the US we never officially had Easter Monday off so that weekend feels more like any other spring weekend to me.
1point
#29
Two things actually.
1) Weddings ,or atleast large weddings. My older sister got married in a small room in city hall, and my twin sister had a small backyard wedding( though, that one was due to covid). Alot of americans are either too strapped for cash , or are starting to see the wedding itself as less important (and that is IF we get married).
2)Not a holiday, but a tradition. Traveling to family for holidays.When I was younger, on my mother's side, we used to travel to my aunts or uncles houses for thanks giving. Even when we had to drive for 2 days to do it. Once my mom hosted and the family came to celebrated with us. The only reason it wasn't the same with my dad side was because he is from Costa Rica, thanksgiving being an american holiday, him and his family didn't really celebrate often.But the last few thanksgivings ,I didn't really travel. Even after covid,my mom and I just celebrated with a friend of hers, and the friend's husband. Both of wich had adult kids who also didn't come to celebrate with them.Even for Christmas and New Years, I can't remeber the last time i travled to celebrate with family. I think ,again, it has to do with cash. While driving is a common and cheapest way to travel in the US, you still need to save up, especially since people are moving further and further away for work. And unless you have paid time off, only the day of the holiday is given off (if it's a federally recognized holiday. and alot of people can't afford days off without pay.Regardless of the means of travel , you need time to travel.And given how few Americans are haveing kids (most of those who have kids tending to keep it small with 1-3) we may have fewer family to travel to. If we could afford it.
1) Weddings ,or atleast large weddings. My older sister got married in a small room in city hall, and my twin sister had a small backyard wedding( though, that one was due to covid). Alot of americans are either too strapped for cash , or are starting to see the wedding itself as less important (and that is IF we get married).
2)Not a holiday, but a tradition. Traveling to family for holidays.When I was younger, on my mother's side, we used to travel to my aunts or uncles houses for thanks giving. Even when we had to drive for 2 days to do it. Once my mom hosted and the family came to celebrated with us. The only reason it wasn't the same with my dad side was because he is from Costa Rica, thanksgiving being an american holiday, him and his family didn't really celebrate often.But the last few thanksgivings ,I didn't really travel. Even after covid,my mom and I just celebrated with a friend of hers, and the friend's husband. Both of wich had adult kids who also didn't come to celebrate with them.Even for Christmas and New Years, I can't remeber the last time i travled to celebrate with family. I think ,again, it has to do with cash. While driving is a common and cheapest way to travel in the US, you still need to save up, especially since people are moving further and further away for work. And unless you have paid time off, only the day of the holiday is given off (if it's a federally recognized holiday. and alot of people can't afford days off without pay.Regardless of the means of travel , you need time to travel.And given how few Americans are haveing kids (most of those who have kids tending to keep it small with 1-3) we may have fewer family to travel to. If we could afford it.
-4points