What Have We Done Wrong?

[jambutty]

That question is aimed at the under 25’s although the over 25’s will be able to offer a defence.

The present younger generation has inherited our country as it is today, because of the actions or lack of actions that the older generations have taken in the past.

What went wrong?

[Gayle]

For the older generation to have done something wrong you are assuming or implying that everything in the country was 'right' at some point - please explain when you believe that everything was perfect.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Gayle

For the older generation to have done something wrong you are assuming or implying that everything in the country was 'right' at some point - please explain when you believe that everything was perfect.

I think I'm happily back on Gayle's side with this one. Somethings are worse today, like respect, and a sense of feeling part of the community. Other things are relatively much better, such as education, for most that want it, and a health service, though not perfect, that means at least the child mortality rate has increased considerably over the last seventy years.

[Gayle]

Yeah, we talk about rose coloured spectacles, seems like a lot of people have them on when they talk about the past!

[jambutty]

I never said that at one time everything was perfect Gayle, what I was trying to point out, rather badly now that I come to think of it, is that in many aspects today’s society is worse than it used to be. We’ve turned into a me, me, me, me, me society. It has to be said that it is also better in some ways but that is more in material things than attitudes.

We used to have hospitals with real nurses and plenty of them who considered nursing as a vocation as well as just a job to earn money. To be fair many nurses are highly dedicated to their vocation today but many are not. We used to have an education system, although not perfect, was good enough to produce scientists, inventors, technicians, engineers etc in abundance. We used to have trade apprentices where school leavers could learn a trade. We used to have more than adequate public transport. We had respect for the older folk even though youngsters have always cheeked them. We used to have governments that listened to the people and were not bogged down with alleged sleeze. Crime is rife and our prisons are full and are no real deterrent. The police on the street are beginning to become a distant memory. Kids could play out with safety although there was the odd case of child abuse.

Er! garinda! I’m sure that you meant to write, “at least the child mortality rate has DECREASED considerably over the last seventy years.” Not increased.

We who talk about the past Gayle have actually lived and experienced the past and as we are still living in the present we are best qualified to make a comparison. We may view the past with rose coloured glasses but surely you cannot deny that there is a lot wrong with today’s society. Which brings me back to my original question. What went wrong?

[Gayle]

Originally Posted by jambutty

We who talk about the past Gayle have actually lived and experienced the past and as we are still living in the present we are best qualified to make a comparison. We may view the past with rose coloured glasses but surely you cannot deny that there is a lot wrong with today’s society. Which brings me back to my original question. What went wrong?

So why ask the question of the under 25s - how would they know? As you say the people who have experienced the past are the ones able to comment not young people.

What I was trying to get at was at what point you think it started to go wrong then we know what you are comparing with the present day.

[garinda]

Things that are better than seventy years ago in this country.

Less poverty.

Better health. Many diseases now totally eradicated.

Higher education, not just for the lucky few.

Travel.

Greater access to information.

Technology.

Better housing.





(I appologise, I did of course mean a decrease in child mortality rates.)

[shakermaker]

Originally Posted by jambutty

We used to have an education system, although not perfect, was good enough to produce scientists, inventors, technicians, engineers etc in abundance.

We still do, don't we? Admittedly, the government's attitude towards education has changed and changed again, however A-level results are getting higher each year, even with exam boards changing the specification constantly to accommodate the whingers saying that the exams are just getting easier. Well if the results are getting better with stricter specifications, teaching must be getting better, right?

Originally Posted by jambutty

We used to have trade apprentices where school leavers could learn a trade.

Still do! Most of the courses at Accy & Rossendale college are ones that lead onto a trade.

Originally Posted by jambutty

Kids could play out with safety although there was the odd case of child abuse.

Is it not possible that attitudes towards abuse have become more strict and if those attitudes were in place way back when, much more cases would have been reported?

[WillowTheWhisp]

I wouldn't like to go back in time. There are so many things we take for granted nowadays that I wouldn't want to have to try to live without. I couldn't cope without my shower in the mornings. It's what wakes me up. But I do agree that there are some things such as lack of respect where we seem to have gone downhill.

[AccyJay]

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

I wouldn't like to go back in time. There are so many things we take for granted nowadays that I wouldn't want to have to try to live without. I couldn't cope without my shower in the mornings. It's what wakes me up. But I do agree that there are some things such as lack of respect where we seem to have gone downhill.

I use an alarm clock. lol

[andrewb]

I think its got better, ever since the invention of Accyweb Jambutty has been able to come here with doom and gloom so the rest of society dosn't have to listen!

[AccyJay]

Originally Posted by Cyfr

I think its got better, ever since the invention of Accyweb Jambutty has been able to come here with doom and gloom so the rest of society dosn't have to listen!

Niether do you need to comment on it. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion.

[garinda]

It's peein' down.

I'm awfully glad I don't have to run across the back yard to use the privy.

[Gayle]

Or shovel coal in from the coal house in the back yard!

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Gayle

Or shovel coal in from the coal house in the back yard!

...and then try to light the damp coal, if we were lucky enough to be able to afford some.