do you agree that life was better in the 60s 70s and 80s

[c=7700B2][i]back in those era's there wasn't the problems which exist now, life was free, simple and easier...i grew up through the 80s and my parents often harken back to how life was in the 60s and 70s and how it was much BETTER.[/i][/c]

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SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

Do they ever expand on why life was better then, or for whom? In the 1960s I could have been sent to jail for publicly expressing love for my partner. In the 1970s and 1980s casual violence was endemic in the UK. Society was highly deferential and children were rarely listened to when they spoke up against abusive adults. Life expectancy for males was 7 years lower than it is today and polio, TB and measles were common illnesses. Unemployment exceeded 10% under the Thatcher administration and communities were left to wither when their main industries were shut down. Bros passed for popular entertainment in the 1980s. But apart from all the that it sounds a lovely era.

ArtieKat · M

@SunshineGirl Life is always "swings and roundabouts".

ArtieKat · M

@SunshineGirl Your claims about unemployment aren't strictly true - the rates rose rapidly under Wilson and Callaghan's administrations in the 70s (Winter of discontent in 1978). As you say, reaching a peak in 1984 but immediately falling throughout the rest of the 80s and well into the 1990s.

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@ArtieKat That is true. Three day weeks due to fuel shortages in the 1970s (which we have managed to avoid thus far).

Really · 80-89, M

@SunshineGirl I think a couple of your comments are off the mark in terms of time period or factuality.

Lesbian sex has never been illegal in Britain.
English polio cases were close to zero by the early 60s (but following several peak outbreaks in the 40s and 50s).

I do recall parts of the late 60s and early 70s with fond nostalgia. The movement for 'peace & love' was in full flower. Uptight prudishness was being rooted out; I loved it. Didn't last long though.

As for the modern world - our nowadays - I deplore the fact that I can barely get along without a number of expensive technological devices controlled by huge monopolies, and that even if I had those they could quickly become obsolete & unusable. Yes, I think life was easier and less stressful 30-40 years ago. A lot easier. I really am glad that I won't have to live through much of what's coming next.

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@Really I agree with you on parts of your last paragraph. Corporations have created technological dependency that many of us would probably be happier without. But I think on balance technology has made life easier and reduced drudgery.

I muddled the points about polio and homosexuality with my mother's memories of living in communist Poland (I was not around at the time in either country, so have to rely upon second hand testimony).

Really · 80-89, M

@SunshineGirl [quote]have to rely upon second hand testimony).[/quote]You wouldn't be alone in that, especially here on SW, where so little of the content merits the word 'testimony' :). You've been an adult for maybe 20 years? No fault of yours that some variety of hearsay is all you can go on before that.

When we talk of life having previously been easier/harder my own perspective is based on a much longer experience than yours and may therefor be quite different. (Difference X=X validity.) My 'back then' is not your 'back then'. It covers more changes in society and lifestyle.

If we generalize about whether 'things' were better then, we may not be talking about the same 'things' or the same 'then'. - Makes me think & wonder when would be the time I'd choose to go back to if I could. I know it would not be in this century. Which aspects of modern life would I reject, and which keep?

Oh, I'm rambling - sorry! But it's an interesting topic when it stays civil - thanks.