a, poverty, racism, sexism, nuclear threat etc are all still with us, some would argue that they are a sight worse now than then. Only in todays news, child poverty is worse than it has been for 40 years and inequality is at it’s worst for many generations, there was no BNP in the 50s to the extent it is now and was it Bliar who said that Iraq could zap us with WMDs in 45 minutes. Now the unchecked spread of nuclear weapons presents a bigger threat to the world than what it ever did in the 50s where it was a case of “mutually assured destruction” between 3 nuclear states. Israel considered using nuclear weapons against Egypt in their last set to when it looked as if Israel was going to over-run.
Mark Stokes, In the 50s, I was in a job which gave a good insight into the issues of sexual abuse, domestic violence etc etc. in the ten years of the 50s I came across one case of incest and one case of extreme child cruelty, it may well have gone on undercover but definately not on the scale of today. As for alcoholism, it was not rife and extreme drinking was the exception as opposed to the rule. In no way did it compare with today.
Richard, whether or not your first para was meant to be facetious or whatever, child labour down the mines was outlawed in (I think) the late 1800s. In the 1950s, the minimum age that a child could work part time was 13 years and employers had to register his/her name and the work was limited in terms of hours, type and it could not interfere with school etc. In the 1950s, I could have gone anywhere in the country to work, as it was I went to London and from there into the army and from there all over the world. Distance and travel were not inhibitions on work in those days.
About the only factual thing mentioned here is the improvement in the health care over that in the 1950s. Even polio, diptheria, rickets were rapidly becoming deseases of the past and by the very early 1950s had all but dissapeared.
Apart from his first line which is wide of the mark, the nearest one to the truth here is David. As for the rest some plainly are not old enough to know anything of the 50s and for many of us, the 50s were halcyon days which have long since gone under a welter of social engineering where money and property is the root of all evil and our democracy has been smothered by a lot of self seeking, opportunist and bent MPs.
Someof the above comments are understandable however if those who write them have no knowledge of what the 50s were all about.

Report abuse

Stuart, I don’t doubt that there were aspects of the 1950s there were less complicated. The country was still experiencing the euphoria of the end of the second World War, with its attendant economic growth and rising standard of living. But, we shouldn’t deceive ourselves into thinking that the problems were not there and on a similar scale. After 30 years in the field of social work I know that many of the problems facing families now i.e sexual abuse, violence, substance abuse etc didn’t suddenly arise in the last 50 years or so. The roots of these problems go back a very long way. Thankfully today we have agencies which allow people to report these cases of abuse (something that was not so accessible in the 50s) so enabling people to receive the support, protection and in some cases the therapeutic treatment they need in dealing with these crises.

Report abuse

what a silly letter the 50s were miserable cold, poor, rationing, what a joke to say it was better than the realtive luxury we enjoy today

Report abuse

I have many fond memories of life in the ’50s in Shropshire:
Cycling on country roads…there was no traffic. Camping on the Longmynd and Wrekin. Hiking through the beautiful countryside and stopping for a shandy at a country pub. Country dances in the church hall. Big band music at the music hall. Reading great books outside the old library (is it still there?). Buying a rabbit for Sunday dinner at the old Victorian market place (later knocked down – how sad is that?). Having a drink at the posh Raven. Visiting the wonderful museums (Rowley’s Mansion?)….the lovely parks, magnificent architecture, rowing on the river.

I left at the end of that decade to live in continental Europe….and eventually New Zealand/Canada.
I think we were very fortunate to live at that time in such a lovely county – and country, but life goes on – make the best of the time and place wherever you live.

Report abuse

I also agree with David’s summary – shame we can’t have the best of both worlds. Whilst we have the advances of science, technology and a greater awareness of domestic violence, sexual abuse etc, the downward spiral of values is also becoming more and more evident with each generation. Look at the parent and you can picture the child…..

Report abuse

Of course the 30′s, 40′s and 50′s was to some of us the “Best of Times” .. we were young and full of pep and vinegar and just as eager for knowledge and experience as any of today’s generation! ..a well equipped bicycle would transport you 100 miles a day in pristine countryside without the rearward fear of some pedal to metal yuppie propelling you into oblivion! .. a bed and breakfast would cost you a few shillings and a few pence a plowmans lunch.

Trying to compare and justify is futile since the young of today will assess this time! .. their youth and vigour with as much relish as we who are much older do! … thet say that with age comes wisdom and apart from the obvious fond memories of “The Good Times” the one thing that sets then and now apart in my perception is what I describe as a “Sense of Values” …

Report abuse