The Way We Never Were - by Stephanie Coontz

[clockworkgirl21]

I read this amazing book a couple years ago and I'd love to read it again. Basically, it explains why the myths that the 50s and before were so great are bullshit. It really needs to be read by more fundies and politicians who believe the "traditional 50s" was the height of mortality. Men felt tremendous pressure to provide for the family's every need, and women were closeted alcoholics because they couldn't stand staying home and cleaning day after day.

Any RR lurkers out there? Read this book, please!

[Scotsgit]

Whya re you surprised about this?  The 1950's (come to that, the 1960's as well) were far from a glorious time - there was the Korean War, Indo-China, the Suez Crisis and a host of others, not least is the Malayan Emergency that lasts for about 10 years!  Hardly a golden time for those being killed or coming back maimed.  While people may have "Never had it so good", there was a lot that needed to change and sadly wouldn't for a long time.

[lighthorseman]

weren't people still getting lynched fairly regularly?

[rookie]

Yeah, I've always found the myth that the 50's were so great to be a little bit of bullshit. Time has a funny way of fuzzing memories so you tend to remember the good times. The key is to remember Leavit to Beaver and the Andy Griffith Show were not documentaries.

[QueenofHearts]

I think its a generational thing where the older people (60+) look at the younger generation (16-25) and wonder "what the hell is wrong with them?" The elderly don't understand the new fads and culture of the youth and they fondly remember their culture and era as a "simpler time." Then people are told of this "great era" and begin to long for some unobtainable ideal. I really would not be surprised if those who grew up during the 50's were also at odds with an older generation over something (like race or Rock & Roll) where the older generation fondly remember an earlier time.

Edit for clarity: not ALL old people, but enough of them to spread the BS

[rookie]

The 60 plus crowd is also looking back on their childhood from the 50s. I forgot to mention that part. Anyways, a great many people look back on childhood years as innocent, simple times. And why wouldn't they? They weren't worrying about nuclear weapons or loosing the house or any "grown up" stuff. I grew up in the 80s. I wasn't thinking about inflation or rise of cocaine or anything like that. It was a much bigger deal to me that we were out of grape Kool Ade and had to drink Red. Like my kids now aren't too concerned with any of the worries that plague me. Or any of the things that we tend to talk (bitch) about. So maybe once my generation dies off, or starts to, maybe the early 2000s will be what's fondly remembered as the innocent simple times?

[Random Gal]

Not to mention segregation was around and racism was rampant, but obviously that doesn't matter since it only happened to black people.

In all honesty, I think people look back on the 50s as an idyllic time because they were children then and weren't really aware of world events at that time.

[rosenewock21]

Depending on what you value, each generation does change drastically from one to the next. To some the previous generations are a group of backwards troglodytes that we cluck our tongues at. To them the new generations are getting progressively worse. Something you couldn't wear in public in your grandmother's day is considered proper apparel for a job interview today.

There may come a time when we fondly recall to a future generation what life was like before widespread use of the internet. How excited we were when we got our first email address. How people were less likely to fall to group think in 1996 then they are now in the year 2050. What the world was like before we started focusing on the global community over the individual area. We might even, heaven forbid, try to tell them about this innocent little show called "Robot Chicken" and how it was down right modest compared to the trash they watch.

[Scotsgit]

I think its a generational thing where the older people (60+) look at the younger generation (16-25) and wonder "what the hell is wrong with them?" The elderly don't understand the new fads and culture of the youth and they fondly remember their culture and era as a "simpler time." Then people are told of this "great era" and begin to long for some unobtainable ideal. I really would not be surprised if those who grew up during the 50's were also at odds with an older generation over something (like race or Rock & Roll) where the older generation fondly remember an earlier time.

Edit for clarity: not ALL old people, but enough of them to spread the BS

The Teddy Boys and Rockers of the 1950's probably had people in their 60's looking at them wondering what the hell was wrong with them as well.

[Jodie]

Prozac was invented for the housewives of the 50s. That should tell you everything.

[Lt. Fred]

On the other hand, the 50s were objectively the best years for the average American. Sure, African-Americans, gays and women didn't get included, but if you were a white middle-income earner, it has never been as good, before or since.

[sandman]

The 50s WERE great.....if you were upper middle class or better, white, educated, and healthy. If you were missing any of those things, then the 50s tended to suck like a Belgian hooker the day before the rent is due.

[Lt. Fred]

No, the 50s were good for the working class, too. Almost no unemployment, rapid income growth in line with GDP growth, improvements in living standards, rapidly declining private debt, improving education, social welfare and the least economic inequality America has ever had.

It sucked if you were weren't male and white. But America has never been as good for the working poor.

[D Laurier]

This "in my day everything was perfect" nonsense predated the 20th century.
I've no doubt that Thutmose the great had an old advisor who rambled about how "life was so much better before these lyre playing, chariot riding, hooligans with their fancy imported Minoan shawls started acting all outlandish and such."

[The Right Honourable Mlle Antéchrist]

This "in my day everything was perfect" nonsense predated the 20th century.
I've no doubt that Thutmose the great had an old advisor who rambled about how "life was so much better before these lyre playing, chariot riding, hooligans with their fancy imported Minoan shawls started acting all outlandish and such."

Not too long ago, I was scanning through a book which archived letters to the editor from the Globe and Mail (I think it was called "Shocked and Appalled"), dating back to the late 19th century. Needless to say, there were quite a few from the 50s and earlier bitching about how things were so much better in the old days, and the whole world was going to hell in a hand-basket.