Posted on Nov 23, 2014
When you think of the America you grew up in compared to what we have today, what has changed?
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When you compare the America of your youth to the vision of what America is supposed to be or your vision of "perfect" and what America actually is today, what are the differences you see, what do you think can be done to make your ideal America more of a reality?
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 4
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There are days when I wonder if this still is America. When I grew up:
Never heard of the government "shutting down".
The inter-what?
Gas was $0.75 a gallon until I stared driving
Smokes were $1.00 a pack (I never did but bought them for my dad)
You could buy cigarettes under the age of 18
Define "entitlement"
I paid my way through college w/o a student loan
Dating-college-marriage-children. That's the order I was taught
What's a gigabyte?
iPhone, eCommerce - what?
Stores were closed on Sunday
Everything had a power cord unless it was a flashlight or toy
We had phone booths with pay phones and you always carried a quarter.
You walked to school if you lived within a mile - I did
TVs came in a console and were at least 2 feet deep
The bands I grew up with are still playing - Rush, The Who, AC/DC
"Flock of Seagulls"? Oh yeah, "they ran, they ran so far away"
Lawrence Welk was mandatory viewing at my grandparents' house
And the list goes on...
Never heard of the government "shutting down".
The inter-what?
Gas was $0.75 a gallon until I stared driving
Smokes were $1.00 a pack (I never did but bought them for my dad)
You could buy cigarettes under the age of 18
Define "entitlement"
I paid my way through college w/o a student loan
Dating-college-marriage-children. That's the order I was taught
What's a gigabyte?
iPhone, eCommerce - what?
Stores were closed on Sunday
Everything had a power cord unless it was a flashlight or toy
We had phone booths with pay phones and you always carried a quarter.
You walked to school if you lived within a mile - I did
TVs came in a console and were at least 2 feet deep
The bands I grew up with are still playing - Rush, The Who, AC/DC
"Flock of Seagulls"? Oh yeah, "they ran, they ran so far away"
Lawrence Welk was mandatory viewing at my grandparents' house
And the list goes on...
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PO1 Steven Kuhn
I remember people actually sitting together at the dinner table talking to one another about there days or their goals or problems. Now, you can see kids texting one another at the same table! I used to take my kids camping before I was disabled in a place where there was no electricity for vidiot (video plus idiot) games or cell phone signals, After a couple of days of grumbling, they had FUN! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
r/
Steve
r/
Steve
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The internet replaced kids (in general) wanting to go outside and play war or cops & robbers...gas prices have sure went up in price (I remember my dad being very angry when the gas price went over $1.00)...
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When I was a kid, mom would kick us outside and tell us not to come back until dinner. We'd play all day outside. Now kids stay inside and play on the computer, ipad, xbox, etc. and if they do go outside they have to be supervised lest they stub their toe.
When I was a kid you didn't even get phone calls until you were in High School. I wasn't allowed to even have a phone in my room. So talking to girls was done in full view of my parents. Now my 9 year old has an iPhone.
I used to sit in the car with my brother while my parents shopped. We never had a child safety seat. I would lay in the back window area of the Ford LTD on long trips, seat belts were all stuck down in the seat because who used seat belts anyway? Now kids are supposed to sit in safety seats until almost out of elementary school and if you leave a kid in the car you are a negligent parent.
I think the biggest difference for me was that people felt back then that with hard work and determination you could succeed. You had to work for it.
I keep running into kids today that feel like they don't need to improve or work hard because they grew up being told that they were special and don't try and change who you are, people should just accept you the way you are...blah.
When I was a kid you didn't even get phone calls until you were in High School. I wasn't allowed to even have a phone in my room. So talking to girls was done in full view of my parents. Now my 9 year old has an iPhone.
I used to sit in the car with my brother while my parents shopped. We never had a child safety seat. I would lay in the back window area of the Ford LTD on long trips, seat belts were all stuck down in the seat because who used seat belts anyway? Now kids are supposed to sit in safety seats until almost out of elementary school and if you leave a kid in the car you are a negligent parent.
I think the biggest difference for me was that people felt back then that with hard work and determination you could succeed. You had to work for it.
I keep running into kids today that feel like they don't need to improve or work hard because they grew up being told that they were special and don't try and change who you are, people should just accept you the way you are...blah.
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PO1 Steven Kuhn
PO3 (Join to see) I remember right alongside of you (if that makes sense)! I was taught that while the sun was out, if I was not in school or doing chores I was out of the house playing in the woods, swimming in the lake, hiking, fishing, and was only allowed to watch tv on Saturday morning and Sunday evening. I started working at 9 and started working full time at 12, paying taxes and social security. Even if we wanted to get something for our parents, they made us go out and wash windows or work for it in some way. Back when I was young, parents were allowed to raise their kids. Times have changed, but the most successful kids today were raised the way we were. The days may be almost gone, but they are not forgotten! My grandfather taught me something that I am now teaching my granddaughter. Hard work never hurt anyone! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
r/
Steve
r/
Steve
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