We've seen the best of society ...

[KatherineSwynford1403]

Quote from a family member out for a family lunch yesterday. It's his 65th birthday on Wednesday and we had quite the day out yesterday. At this lunch he said the above, remarking on how much better it was growing up in the 60s and 70s, progress isn't always for the best, he's sick of people zipping around on scooters and skateboards, the streets are a mess/filthy, spiceheads, it's all got worse over the years, kids running about in pubs and restaurants and shops and not parented properly (he told us a story about getting a smacked backside for having a tantrum when he wasn't allowed a cowboy outfit in the post office in 1963), police did their job properly, nobody dresses up to go out anymore many people look slovenly, want instant gratification, are lazy, you really had to work for a degree in the 70s, on and on it went.

It did my head in but today I have started thinking did he have (a fraction of a) point at all?

Well it’s not young, or even middle-aged. Late middle age, perhaps.

The 1970s was possibly the worse decade in living memory.

As it has been mentioned if you were a white, heterosexual, smoking male you might think the world was better.

He has some points about some parts of today's society that might be worth further discussion but the whole "it was so much better" sweeping statement, load of absolute balls.

I'm 58 and I don't recognise the country I was born it. It's like a different country now. Nothing is better only worse
I'm a similar age and totally disagree.
Much is better, some is worse. I hate the negativity that people spout, I'm not sure what they achieve by it. As ever, we should search out the good.

12 months off state pension age, yes 65 is old. Maybe not elderly but old yes.

And these days, if you say you’re English, they send you to jail. They do, you know. A taxi driver said so.

I bet it won't be when the people sayin '65 is old' reach 65.

And just because something always has been doesn't mean it can't change, does it? that's just a version of 'well, we've ALWAYS done it like this.'

?

I hated Thatcher. I think infrastructure aside the world is better. Apart from the anger and self centredness mentioned up thread.

12 months off state pension age, yes 65 is old. Maybe not elderly but old yes

You do know 'elderly' is generally regarded as the stage before old, right? no wonder people think we're all doddering around peeing ourselves and on the verge of dementia while our relatives check out care homes, if the ignorant attitudes on here are anything to go by.

Yes I’m in my 60’s and feel like this.
I can’t get over the litter everywhere, it doesn’t matter where you go people just seem to throw things on the floor.
I think when I was young it was rare to eat/drink in the street other than say an ice cream so you didn’t have litter to throw away.

I wouldn't want to go back to the '70s. Striking, blackouts and shortages due to striking, 3-day weeks as a result of shortages and blackouts. The country was a union-ravaged dump back then tbh. It's getting that way again now, though, so obviously things haven't changed that much in some regards.

Im 59. Litter was everywhere in the 70’s. Keep Britain Tidy and The Wombles?

And we often ate sweets in the street.

People have always complained that the young are less respectful, that society used to be more polite etc. In fact, in many ways society is better. We are far more tolerant of homosexuality, for example. We’re also more concerned about animal rights. I know several militant vegans (and I’m right behind them). In the ‘70s, you’d see stray dogs everywhere in London.

Bullying is also less acceptable. Violence was much more common in schools when I was a kid. Adults often believed that it toughened you up, and that a boy should handle things with his fists - not going running to teacher. Another big improvement is awareness of sexual abuse. The sexual abuse of children and teens was very, very common in the 1960s and 1970s. People knew it happened but turned a blind eye. Some would even joke about it. Groping women at work, or commenting on their breasts and legs, was also considered harmless fun.

In other ways things have got worse, however. The absolute worst thing is the overcrowding. There are just too many people jammed onto this little island. The traffic here in Essex is now hellish, and rabbit hutch houses are being squeezed onto every bit of available land. I hardly bother going out at the weekends as I can’t bear it. Any zookeeper will tell you that when you cram too many animals into a cage they become distressed and start attacking each other. In 1960, there were three billion humans. Today, it’s eight billion and heading for ten! That’s a staggering increase. Not only that, but the pace of life has sped up. And we’re bombarded with flashing images, social media, constant bad news.

We’re also more greedy and individualistic. That is partly down to Thatcherism, of course, who made everything about money. But it’s also connected to the decline in national identity. The left have made the whole idea of Britishness, and especially Englishness, toxic. I have really felt this in the last decade or so. Our tribal identity, sense of shared history, etc, just isn’t there any more. And who is going to care about the common good when they have no shared identity?

I recall the blackouts and such

I also recall a greater sense of community- when most people can't have stuff there is less jealousy .

Dinner wasn't so exciting because the range of food wasn't there. You ate what was there and you didn't expect puddings and snacks and treats daily

• people had a bit more time - no one was spending time shopping endlessly . Ok so Sundays could be so boring - but they also were a great chance to unwind , you were forced to switch off- probably great for everyone's mental health

• children could be hit , but the lack of discipline today is also a form of abuse

Perhaps the biggest thing though was everyone could have a safe home guaranteed tenancy - council homes
Yes sometime the quality was poor but the council did renovate , adding inside loos and central heating for example

He may have a point

The left have made the whole idea of Britishness, and especially Englishness, toxic

No this is what the right have done. Brexit anyone?

He's right

The smacked arse in the post office made me laugh

And not just litter in the 1970s, dog shit, everywhere, that weird white/yellow dog shit.

He's not wrong

@Floppyear

Life is fantastic for me but that doesn't mean I cant see things have gone downhill in society and are very difficult.Off the top of my head ,
You can't see a doctor
You can't see a dentist
The NHS is strained to breaking point . Waiting lists can be years .
Education is dire for some kids .
The police don't catch criminals .
People don't take personal responsibility for themselves .
Too much welfare state reliance
People seem more and more selfish with a disregard for others .
Homelessness
Gender wars
Cultural wars
Home grown terrorism
Poor economic outlook
Strikes
Threat from Russia / China
Individuals may now have a lot to be grateful for but there are black clouds ahead imo .

Sartorial standards have slipped, definitely. It's normal to see people in the supermarket dressed as if they've just rolled out of bed, which, based on how they appear, isn't far from the truth. Of course not everyone does this, but it only takes a small number to set a trend.

That's usually indicative of malabsorption of nutrients, intestinal parasites and worms etc Which would mean poor access to or unestablished understanding of veterinary care. It was the 70s, dogs were a status symbol more than anything. Pets and veterinary care were very expensive before nearly everyone had one.

It was because dogs ate bones then.

Mid forties and I’m inclined to agree. How on earth are things better now?

Obviously!

Probably best to give mn threads like this a swerve tbh, if you’re just happy ;

Rose tinted glasses much?

Nothing more tedious than listening to old people complain about 'the state of the world today' and whining on about great things were in 'their time'.

Sounds like the kind of guy that would've had a stroke when the word 'selfie' got added to the dictionary...