My American Dating Journal

[Zink]

... in response to Re: Another thought...., posted by Oatmeal on Aug 16, 2002

I wonder if some people aren't dreaming of some mythical past where humans were all moral and perfect. My mother grew up in a small town in the 50's. I've read it many times here how some people post as if the 50's was a golden age in the US. When my mom was a girl teenagers still had sex. Drugs weren't common but alcohol was even more popular than it is now. I fail to see where the world has fallen into some moral abyss. It seems pretty much the same as it always was to me. Some people behave well, many don't. If you want to find a virgin bride with morals written in stone... I don't think the FSU would be the best place to look. I love Russian women but they're only human like the rest of us.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to This is way off topic,but..., posted by Zink on Aug 16, 2002


Well... I disagree.

Yes, teenagers in the fifties had sex... but it was not nearly as prevalent as it is now.

25% of all EIGHTH graders have now been drunk according to a recent study. That was NOT common in the fifties (from what I have read and been told... I actually didn't come along until the sixties...)

Don't even get me started on the unwed mother births or abortion statistics.

Even when I was in high school... my girlfriend (age 18) was my first (I was age 19) and I was hers. I personally knew people who were virgins on their wedding night, and proud of it.

That is simply not true today.

Not that things were perfect in the fifties. But drug use, alcoholism, and teenage pergnancies were MUCH lower then...

As was divorce...

[Zink]

... in response to Re: This is way off topic,but..., posted by MarkInTx on Aug 16, 2002

It's hard to say who's right.  To be honest it isn't really important. The world is the way it is. For thousands of years people have been complaining about the decline of society. Sometimes they were right. The US has a long way to go to reach the level of evil and decadence that other cultures hit in the past.

One thing about stats though. In the past people were less open about things like drug abuse and pregnancies. I personally don't believe people today are more amoral than they were in the past. But today stories get shared much more often. Sorry to even get into this. I have social worker friends and psychology and history are my hobbies.

[Oscar]

... in response to Re: Re: This is way off topic,but..., posted by Zink on Aug 16, 2002

I am a psychotherapist and I will agree with Mark that the incidence of alcohol, drugs, promiscuity and teen pregnancy are INFINITELY more rampant in every way than could have existed in the 50's..  No comparison!

[Zink]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: This is way off topic,but..., posted by Oscar on Aug 16, 2002

In this area teen pregnancies have held steady for years. It's always been a hot spot. Drug use is way up and alcohol use is way down. Drugs are becoming more economical on the streets.

You made your point. We're all going to h#ll in a handbasket. Dang and here I still had some hope for a decent future. Nuff said.

[Oscar]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: This is way off topic,bu..., posted by Zink on Aug 16, 2002

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