Something I have wondered about: back then, infant mortality was much higher, and it was not unheard of to die in one's youth. Might there have been a survival of the fitness that no longer exists today? I don't think there is correlation between moral fiber and physical ruggedness, but maybe there is more of a connection there than I think? Certainly the more one has to work for something, the more one tends to value it--get everything handed to you a silver platter, and it's the rare person who won't be spoiled by it.
I also have to wonder just how many people "failed" back then. With no support systems in place, there was no reporting nor recording of those who didn't keep up. High school dropout rates, employment stats, etc. You read about ne'er-do-wells but I think there was a lot of space back them for them to fade into obscurity. Head to the edge of the town and it was wilderness--today that wilderness is known as the suburbs.
Anyhow. I often think there is nothing new under the sun. The more I think there is something strange going on with today's youth, the more I challenge myself to ask if it's something that has been going on since forever.
Beats me.
I don't have any answers - just observations as someone who treats children/teens under stressful situations and children/teens with special health care needs. Here are my observations over the past. 15 years:
1. As I've said before it seems like 75% of my 14-22 years olds (they graduate to general dentistry after college) have a diagnosis of anxiety/depression and are being medicated for these conditions. This has gone up significantly in the past 15 years. I find many parents of these kids go beyond due diligence of caring for their children and it's more like a Munchausen by proxy where they're weirdly excited to justify the diagnosis. Kids seem to have very poor coping skills.
2. The majority of kids/teens can't have a simple conversation event at 15. "Hey, Sally, how are you?" is answered more often than not with, "I don't know." *** does, "I don't know" mean? Parents usually do not say anything. If one of my kids gave that answer you can bet that would be an immediate correction.
3. I have 3 year olds with a mouth full cavities who need to go to the hospital for general anesthesia and when I ask the parents if they brush the kid's teeth their answer is, "He doesn't let me" to which I reply, "Your job is to make him/her do things that they don't like to do but are in their best interest. You're bigger than them, do what you need to do." This may seem harsh but remember these kids are going to the hospital for GA because these parents can't figure out how to make a 30 lbs kid comply. When I've already spoke to them 6 months before about going to bed with a bottle of milk and they're still doing it and the parents says, "Oh we tried taking it away but they cried." And???? This lack of parenting just gets worse as the kid gets older and there seems to be ZERO compliance with anything by the time they're 6.
4. In my areas very few teens have jobs. Most seem to live a life of video games and leisure and no responsibility. Almost universally, kids with jobs seem well ahead of their peers in terms of communication and maturity.
5. Hiring 18-25 year olds has been a poop show with ONE exception. No work ethic, entitled, almost always causing trouble immediately, doesn't accept training or constructive criticism and want to pretend like they all know everything.
I have no doubt it is MY generation that has failed these kids. Being friends with kids above all else. Lawnmower parents. None of these parenting styles does a kid any justice. My wife and I are very 1950's in our parenting. When they were little they did it because we said to do it and we won 100% of the battles. We insisted on politeness, manners, kindness, and we corrected them when they did not comply. As teens now they pretty much behave 100% of the time and when they don't it usually just requires a comment and they shapeup. My 17 year old has been working since he has been old enough to work and my 15 and 12 year olds will follow. He has learned invaluable skills already. The world is a harsh place and it seems few parents are preparing their children for that world. I guess it explains the number of 30 year olds still living at home. I've always viewed my job as a parent is to prepare little people to become big people who are capable of taking care of themselves so they can live a life of meaning.