Self-help and diet books replaced the cookbooks and home fix-it manuals that topped the 60’s charts, and starting in 1972 there were at least two self help books on every non-fiction top ten list through 1979.

Widespread usage of the term New Age began in the mid-1970s and influenced several thousand small book- and gift- stores that increasingly defined themselves as "New Age” bookstores. The American mass-media further popularized the term as a label for the alternative spiritual subculture, including practices such as meditation, channeling, crystal healing, astral projection, psychic experience, holistic health, simple living, and environmentalism; or belief in phenomena such as Earth mysteries, ancient astronauts, extraterrestrial life, unidentified flying objects, crop circles, and reincarnation.

By the 1970’s the Women’s Movement influenced the work force. 60% of women (16- 24) were outside of the home working. Since women were at work this led to: Smaller families Birthrate fell Families spent less time together Divorce rate doubled from

Television programming began to more closely reflect the realities of American life. Shows more often addressed relevant issues, more African-American characters appeared, and working women as well as homemakers were portrayed. In addition, the newly established Public Broadcasting System (PBS) began showing many issue-oriented programs and expanded educational programming for children.

Mood rings, lava lamps, Rubik's cube, Sea Monkeys, smiley face stickers, string art, and pet rocks all captured the imagination of Americans during this decade. The wildest fad surely was streaking nude through very public places! Families vacationed in station wagons and everyone wanted an RV. The fashion influence of Sixties hippies was mainstreamed in the Seventies, as men sported shoulder length hair and non-traditional clothing became the rage, including bellbottom pants, hip huggers, colorful patches, hot pants, platform shoes, earth shoes, clogs, T-shirts, and gypsy dresses. Knits and denims were the fabrics of choice. Leisure suits for men became commonplace, and women were fashionable in everything from ankle- length grandmother dresses to hot pants and micro-miniskirts. The movie Annie Hall (1977) even inspired a fashion trend with women sporting traditional men's clothing such as derby hats, tweed jackets, and neckties worn with baggy pants or skirts.

While many people think of the 1970s as the disco decade or the beginning of metal, there were also developments across the entire musical spectrum that included funk, punk, folk and completely new electronic sounds.