Was life better in the "Good Old Days", or do we just gloss over the difficult and unpleasant things?

Question

Memories, Reminsicing, Good Old Days

Answer 1

For most of us, life was not better in the "good old days". I'm a boring old 60-year old and I sometimes find myself saying to those in their twenties, "Ah, but in my day . . . ," then I recognise that times have changed - my two daughters have no fillings in their teeth, they don't need to worry about bacterial infection because we now have antibiotics, they both have their own cars and apartments and enjoy a good social life, they both enjoy a good standard of living. And yet, there are some things that I would consider better: 40 years ago there was little rubbish television, computers weren't invented so people had to meet others to talk rather than spending time replying to "Yahoo Answers" to feel wanted (ahhhhh...!) Joking apart, romantically, things were better, but, in reality, there was much more poverty and suffering and lack of education (not in my era - but before!) and sickness and injustice and all religious prejudice and ... need I go on? I believe that in general terms the quality of life improves with each generation and the developments and inventions that each generation brings, but emotionally and mentally, there are certainly things lacking today that were part of my life as a child and the life of those before me that are a sad loss.

By the way, I'm not really writing as a sad old man (I hope) because, although retired from full-time employment, I now work two or three days a week as a consultant, presenting papers at conferences around Europe, working with young people and not having to wonder how I'm going to pay the next utility bill - that would not have been the case in the "good old days" unless one were extremely well-born.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I know an individual who stated that "The Good Ol' Days" was just a farce. This person's son said that he wish he had been born in the good old days, and the parent responded, "Believe me, to the new generation it SEEMED like the good old days, but there were things going on that you would have been shocked to know about."

Answer 4

Krista M; darlin these are the good old days. The days you're living now. They are good. These are the days you will reminisce about every decade coming. In a few years to come then you will be living the good old days again. The good old days are always here with us in the moments we live. Enjoy them Krista M because you are in the midst of the good old days.

Answer 5

Whenever I think of the Good Old Days i remind myself that I currently living in my granddaughters Good Old Days.
I guess we should also realize that we view those days through rose colored glasses.

Answer 6

i think its a matter of perspective,,,, for the individual, but if you mean it in american society terms,,,, aka the 40's , 50's, etc, then yes, there is a lot of glossing over,, some very bad things were going on for alot of people, lack of rights etc,,,, i would like to think im in the good days now, for myself personally,,,

Answer 7

Well, whenever my grandfather talked about the "Good Old Days", he also talked about walking ten miles to and from school uphill both ways!

Answer 8

Every era had it's good times and scary times. All I know that having a good time today is way more expensive.

Answer 9

life was not better in the past.
things were harder and life was difficult.
nostalgia is yearning for better times that never really were.
of course if you are a kid everything seems idyllic because you don't understand responsibilities and financial necessities.
you have no mouths to feed.

Answer 10

Life is what you make it. Today will be tomorrow's good ol' day.