Good point, things were indeed different in that time. When I was just entering the workforce, in the eighties, there was a massive backlash going the other way—”lookism” was even discussed.
It comes down to what may be an unresolvable debate about free speech/expression, and government/law getting in between people’s social interaction. Do we want ‘speech codes’ to tell us how we should interact, or do we trust parents (who often fall down on this job—I work with kids from troubled homes) to teach kids appropriate behavior in ANY situation outside the home?
Government has no place in human interaction in regard to speech. Barring true harassment... and I have seen and been subject to that, from men AND WOMEN... government has no place in trying to rigidly dictate human interaction and behavior. Wherever you go in this world you will have people who overstep their bounds and others who are drama-queens (and kings) who seek attention. Look to the family and it is the same among siblings.