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Can we adopt the philosophies of our forefathers in our modern culture? Whilst I am only 21 it seems to me (and I know this may not be the case) life was a lot more pleasant and straight-forward 50 years ago; you had a job, you did it. You raised a family, and if the kids were bright they went on to University; if they were practical they got an apprentiship. Manners were taught from a young age and every school child knew the words of the national anthem by heart, teaching them discipline before a couple of years' national service prepared them for the real world and drilled some discipline and focus in to their heads.

Husband and wife had respect for each other and they both knew their places; the law was respected, and took a more direct approach than today's politically correct system.

The list goes on- does this view still hold merit, in your opinion?

Thanks for all serious answers. By the way I am referring specifically to the UK here, but it's open to everyone!

2007-03-08 00:41:42 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture Other - Society & Culture

9 answers

I was born after the end of world war 2 - the so-called baby boomer generation. The single most important difference I can perceive between the 1950's and the last 20 years is that today, people have HUGE expectations, most of them to do with material posessions. This demand for more money, a bigger and better house, cars for mum, dad and the children who are over 18, holidays abroad, etc., etc., has resulted in mothers having to go out to work to suppliment the income and, it seems to me, that it is their children who have to pay the price.

One of the best things about being brought up in a relatively poor family was that our mum was always there for us. We had the security of knowing our parents had time for us, time to talk, time to play, time to do things together. Our pleasures were simple, but healthy. We used our imaginations, we could run around outside all day, we weren't afraid to speak to a stranger. And yes, it's true that good manners and principles were instilled into us from an early age - respect for others, for the law, a willingness to help others, etc.

However, it wasn't all sunshine and roses. Discrimination abounded, as did injustice and inequality. The poorer you were, the less likely you were to get on in life and, once in that trap, it was hard to get out.

On balance, I believe that people in the 50's and 60's were more content with their lot and had a much better sense of self and self-worth. However, I wouldn't want to go back to a big, old, draughty, cold house without central heating or double glazing - especially in winter when it was so cold there was ice on the inside of the windows and on the blankets by your nose! Oh, no. Give me my creature comforts every time! But yes, I do feel nostalgic for times gone by, times that probably can never be recreated. However, surely the lesson is to take the good stuff with us and pass it on to others and stand up for our principles and values. Now, I must remove my rose-tinted spectacles and fix my husband's supper. You see, I still know my place!!!?

2007-03-09 06:43:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

Even with the new advances in entertainment over the last 50 years, I like you, believe we can still draw on the past for all the reasons you enumerate.
Apart from entertainment, travel has been revolutionised and the time to travel to exotic places is greatly reduced. Do we always have to go there?
The morals of society are questioned by the married couples when, in the 'old days' any child born outside a marriage was termed illegitimate.
Today's 'politically correct' terminology relies on some whim or fancy being open to interpretation, leaning toward the nanny state syndrome and turning common sense on it's head.
Discipline? Where has that gone? My Mother chastised me for wrong doing; what harm did it do me? None, it taught me right from wrong and my carreer since then has been, without doubt, nothing short of wonderful, all down to the tenacity and concern shown in my eary youth.
Married for almost 42 years, I believe I can comment on the value of marriage. The success is due to understanding one's partner (in my case Wife of course) and as so many breakdowns occur, I wonder if the problem stems from the promiscuity in the 70's and 80's? Did children then have so much love from their Parents or was there the commencement of what we see today, disfunctional Families

I never went into National Service because I was just too young to be called up but that was the time when things were worked for and not handed out.

I would not like the readers to think this is intended to include them, unless it happens to pertain but rather a comment on generality in that time and now.

The National Anthem was something alien to me because I am not English but equally, my roots are well founded in the Principality of Song.

2007-03-08 09:08:34 · answer #2 · answered by MANCHESTER UK 5 · 2 0

Yes there is a lot to be said for the old fashioned way of life and I for one are extremely glad to have grown up that way, everyone was valued no matter were they lived or what they did, none of this school snobbery then and all children left school able to read, write and do their times tables, jobs were plentiful, holidays were cheap but brilliant and we made our own fun without having to take a case full of gadgets with us to keep us occupied or been bored, good food on the table were the whole family sat down together with no arguing about it not been a McDonald's or Kentucky Fried chicken, unfortunately those days are gone and we've had to move with the times and live in a plastic world full of political correctness, anger, resentment and greed, oh how I'd love the old days back again.

2007-03-08 10:37:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

There is merit to your question, and yes it does seem that life was more simple back then. I would assume that when others from that time looked back, life seemed more simple to them. Did they wish for life to go back to the simple times?

I would love it if people could stay in one area and work at one job all their life, if they wish to and still have time to raise their children, spending good family time with them. It's not just a wish from the UK, but from the US also. It seems as if we are always in a hurry to get somewhere, but most of the time we really have no idea as to where we are going, as we stumble over our children to get there. But at the same time we have some very wonderful things from this day and age; I think what we really need to do is just slow down, remember to give others the respect that we would like to receive and even though life is speeding by, does not mean we always have to be on the fast track 24/7. Slow down, take time with the family and special time with the spouse. We may find ourselves wishing less for the simple days and enjoying the ones we are in right here at this moment.

2007-03-08 09:03:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I totally share your view. I was brought up following most of those rules & I reckon I had done better than the average kids of today. Study, discipline, hard work, respect the aged, help the weak, observe the law...... none of that hurt anybody.
Times are different now, some say one should always follow the trend, but I belong to the others who are thankful that there are still old-timers doing their best by what they have been taught & what they have learned in life, that love & respect must be earned, not expect them to be given.

2007-03-08 08:50:56 · answer #5 · answered by MoiMoii 5 · 0 0

The only way I can answer this question is that I wish there were something to be said. If I could go back which I know I cannot, I would relive the old way over and over again because that's how I got to where I am today.

2007-03-08 08:48:21 · answer #6 · answered by Laura C 3 · 0 0

The thing was in those times there was still a lot of religion tied to everyday events, even if people weren't neccessarily church goers the basic ideas of Christianity still played a part in their daily lives.

2007-03-08 09:18:55 · answer #7 · answered by thunor 5 · 0 0

The past is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there...

2007-03-08 09:41:36 · answer #8 · answered by marineboy63 3 · 0 0

Everything seems simpler in retrospect. If you lived back then, you would have thought it was just as bad - Munch's scream was painted in that period for example.

2007-03-08 08:45:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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