Sentinal Crystal
Fifty yrs ago, parents beating kids was considered cool, not just for jw's, but in society in general. Back then guys weren't supposed to have feelings. So they suppressed them. But they still came out in wierd ways. Beating on kids when they had a reason was a way for them to vent. There was a lot of fear at that time due to the threat of nuclear war w russia. After the korean war, many people were scared stiff of a nuclear war. So, we can't say that there wasn't a lot of stress back then.
A reading of history shows that even just before the american civil war (early to mid 1800's), people were lamenting the break down of old values. Society was stressed back them because of many changes happening all at once. Drugs like opium and hashish were available and were prescribed by doctors. Booze also, even during prohibition. While narcotics may not have been as abundant as to day, they aren't a new problem. Drug addiction was discussed within the US govt at that time. A search of the internet will bring these up.
In todays world, as well as there being many stresses, there are many tv programs, radio programs, magazines, books, self-help groups. In other words, a lot more knowledge and treatment is available. Society in general is less into denial than it was in the past. These forces are going a long ways in counteracting many of the remaining negatives and new problems. Reduced denial also brings abuse issues out from hiding, whereas back then, they were mainly ignored.
In many ways, they weren't the good old days. In many ways, these are the good days.
SS
Edited by - saintsatan on 20 September 2002 18:58:2
