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I once saw a girl about eighteen or nineteen working on a garbage truck. I don't consider that to be progress.
I think that was great progress. Any time a women is hired to do what traditionally has been considered a man's job is progress. She probably got paid well for it too. Good for her.
And may I add, that works both ways. No reason why a man couldn't do what was traditionally thought to be a "woman's job" but back in the alleged good old days that took place as well.
I ran into so many situations where some man thought a woman shouldn't do a job just because she was a woman when I was working, including my own job, I look back at those days as the "bad old days."
My parents worked at the Naval Academy. They sponsored mids, and we had them at our house all the time. We lived near Friendship (now BWI) Airport, and gave many a mid a ride between there and the Yard. All of them that we encountered were unfailingly polite. When I had a day off of school and would ride to work with my parents so I could spend the day wandering around the Yard, my parents considered me to be safe as long as I stayed there and didn't go out into Annapolis (although you have to go pretty far from the Academy to get to the not-so-good parts of Annapolis).
My parents worked at the Naval Academy. They sponsored mids, and we had them at our house all the time. We lived near Friendship (now BWI) Airport, and gave many a mid a ride between there and the Yard. All of them that we encountered were unfailingly polite. When I had a day off of school and would ride to work with my parents so I could spend the day wandering around the Yard, my parents considered me to be safe as long as I stayed there and didn't go out into Annapolis (although you have to go pretty far from the Academy to get to the not-so-good parts of Annapolis).
I remember the Academy and the Mids, as well as the local motels where a few of my friends and their Midshipman boyfriends "partied". I also recall one very bright, very good looking Mid who underestimated me.
I'm thinking I saw a view of the Mids that you and your parents did not.
We all felt better about ourselves and our country then. And perception is everything.
If people didn't have all that they wanted it was still a time of optimism and growth. A good education was still cheap and accessible. We were producing some of the world's most educated students. People could see opportunity on the horizon. Again, perception creates anticipation of satisfaction.
I'm thinking for those who are arguing the OP, if the "good old days" were so much worse than now why is it we have so many angry, complaining people now? A higher rate of suicide? A higher rate of depression/mental illness?
If things have improved so much why aren't we all happy, satisfied people?
This is something I wouldn't even consider arguing with someone younger than I because I was there and they read it in a book. LOL. I lived it then and I'm living it now and there's no comparison in the amount of dissatisfaction I hear today.
Maybe people today haven't learned how to be happy with their lives?
Yes, they were better times in a lot of important respects. But then in some other respects they were worse times. I entered kindergarten in 1950, so I'm talking about lived experience, not stuff I've just read about. Two of the negatives: ubiquitous smoking and lack of seat belts in cars.
Both of my parents died from illness related to them being chimneys with their smoking. The house was full of it. They smoked in the car. They never really thought about anyone breathing it. I was once tested and had somewhat restricted breathing, apparently common in children of heavy smokers. Dad lost his mind, probably related, but tried hard to get cigarettes.
I know people who smoke, but even they don't smoke as much, and take care with other people.
I wish some of those I miss who went too early, like Mom, hadn't smoked. Maybe it wouldn't make a difference, but she died at 65, and there were so many more years we didn't get to spend with her.
We all felt better about ourselves and our country then. And perception is everything.
If people didn't have all that they wanted it was still a time of optimism and growth. A good education was still cheap and accessible. We were producing some of the world's most educated students. People could see opportunity on the horizon. Again, perception creates anticipation of satisfaction.
I'm thinking for those who are arguing the OP, if the "good old days" were so much worse than now why is it we have so many angry, complaining people now? A higher rate of suicide? A higher rate of depression/mental illness?
If things have improved so much why aren't we all happy, satisfied people?
This is something I wouldn't even consider arguing with someone younger than I because I was there and they read it in a book. LOL. I lived it then and I'm living it now and there's no comparison in the amount of dissatisfaction I hear today.
Maybe people today haven't learned how to be happy with their lives?
Some people are happy with their lives, but others on this thread are foaming at the mouth with rage. They're obviously unhappy with their lives, but refuse to take responsibility for it. They blame their lack of success on their race or sex. I know that sex isn't the problem. The women in my family, born 1896-1907, are proof that women can be as successful as men. My eldest aunt worked in a managerial position until she was 86. She spent much of her free time on her investments, stocks that would make most run in terror. However, she did very well overall.
Some people are happy with their lives, but others on this thread are foaming at the mouth with rage. They're obviously unhappy with their lives, but refuse to take responsibility for it. They blame their lack of success on their race or sex. I know that sex isn't the problem. The women in my family, born 1896-1907, are proof that women can be as successful as men. My eldest aunt worked in a managerial position until she was 86. She spent much of her free time on her investments, stocks that would make most run in terror. However, she did very well overall.
Recognizing reality is liberal? Well, yes, I guess it is, now that you mention it.
The OP relayed truly a tale of two countries.
A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
The OP is guilty of hate until proven leftist.
He is not allowed to recall what he was fond of without the obligatory stirring of resentment and opening of old wounds. Stuff it.
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