I grew up & graduated from HS in the 50s. Looking back, it seemed like about the best of times to be growing up.
Same here. Born 1940. High School and college in the 50’s. Just about all the points I can think of are touched upon in this thread. I could write a book about it. A few things I can add. We basically didn’t think of or were affected by government at any level...except police!! Filthy federal government hadn’t stuck it’s filthy nose into every aspect of everyday life yet. We took great joy in much simpler and creative activities. Love and romance were actually a thing then. (I got married at 20 and still married to same woman 63 years later.) There was infinitely more freedom. (I could walk out of my house with my 22 and go plink to my hearts content in nearby woods.) I could go on and on. Fast forward to now. What can I say? Incredible advances in science, technology, medicine etc. But socially and culturally? A deep, dark brown shade of caca.