"The funny thing is, most communities were probably much like this in the 40s and early 50s - no contraception available in pharmacies (other than condoms, and those only behind the counter), no abortion services, and shops within walking distance.
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Yup, they were. Of course, the Pill hadn't been invented yet. The pharmacist could, though, give you a diaphragm and spermicidal jelly, along with the condoms (for prevention of disease only)
Those towns had other things, too, like rules that kept grocery stores closed on Sundays. Some didn't allow blacks to own property in the town, either. The town I grew up in only allowed hispanics to live in a certain section of town.
Some good things in those days. Some horrible things.
You are right about that. There's never been a working utopia in real life.