I get your point BH but don't really see it that way and I'm not just being a negative old curmudgeon.
The standard of living issues you list have come at a steep price, such as most mothers working outside the home, leading to most kids being latch key kids with minimal parental guidance, leading to some going off the rails and being totally irresponsible adults (crime, drugs, etc). In the 50's a normal working person with a wife and kids at home could pay off a reasonable mortgage in 10 years (my dad did it twice), try that today.
Yes, health care is better but our lifestyle is less healthy. Yes, we can go to a Mexican resort every winter but our families are less strong and our society is, in general, more impersonal and callous to others.
Ed, the issues you are describing, are an emotional though very rational reaction to the Social Engineering dilemma that actually began in the forties.
Women aren't willing to stay at home and be the good little housewife anymore. Not if they want a home and vehicle.
I know, there are a few hold outs that are happy to do just that but not a majority by a long shot.
I know where you're coming from and agree with much of it. I also know you would be stoned in the village square if you went public with those thoughts.
Times are a changing, we can change with them and try like hell to hold onto our values or we can be left behind in the dust, wondering what the hell happened.
That's where this co parenting BS comes from that teachers are trying to stuff down our throats. They often spend more time with the kids than the parents do.
Sadly, it's a choice parents have to make. They have to figure out what they want out of life, how to give their kids everything they need and of course have some sort of decent lifestyle.
Back in the days you are missing, there just wasn't as much available to be had and even if it was, likely couldn't be afforded by most.
I guess what I miss most, is the lack of incentives to better ourselves through good job skills and education, as well as good morals.
Now, if you're a screw up, it's OK, because obviously society has failed you. Yeah Right.
FAS and FDS kids grow up to be FAS and FDS adults. They don't adapt and they don't get better. More and more of them show up on the streets of our towns and cities everyday as unemployable homeless people. Square pegs, trying to fit into round holes and not even realizing the holes aren't square.
