Things were so different then!
Things that we take for granted now weren't a big priority then. Just watched a scene where Willy picked up Buddy at the dentist's office. Neither of the kids were wearing seat belts as they drove along, although the unused belts dangling were clearly visible in the car. In the "Jury Duty" episode, one of the jurors actually smoked a cigar in the building as they were waiting to be called. The Lawrences received a number of harassing phone calls after the trial, no answering machine to pick up these calls. I mean, I can't imagine not having an answering machine or voice mail today.
Buddy was skateboarding without a helmet. She never locked her bike, either.
Kate allowed Doug's sister to drive away in her car when she was obviously drunk (fortunately she stalled the car at the end of the driveway).
In the episode where Kate's dying mother, Hattie, visited to say goodbye, Kate and Doug obtained confidential medical information from Hattie's doctor by phone. Today, that information wouldn't be given out without a signed release.
It's fun to see how much life has changed since the 1970's, and how so many things are still the same.