“They have become a very grasping and self-centered generation since then (there are notable exceptions of course), and, as someone mentioned earlier, gave birth to the worst generation.”
They did raise the worst generation, I’ll give you that. But I think they were the greatest generation. They survived the depression, they won WWII, carried on the idustrial revolution making America the most productive country in the world and were the ones who got us to the moon.
The greatest generation subscribed to the melting pot, and developed a public school system that was very good. The ideals, goals, and philosophy of the “greatest generation” were top shelf. Look at the media from the time, the things expressed in movies. Things that they tried to teach their kids.
But, they do have one large failure. They tried to give their kids too much. Tough love was not commonly known or practiced. They gave us the boomers, but they did make America. The greatest generation subscribed to the melting pot, and developed a public school system that was very good.
“The greatest generation subscribed to the melting pot, and developed a public school system that was very good.”
You need to start looking at the historical timelines, those were the things that they were destroying.
Good post. I agree with there being a good defense for “that” generation. I don’t care what you call them. The culture of their America was a patriotic one. It was one of sacrifice, hard work, strong values, etc. They indeed were “drafted” into WWII. At home, their fellow citizens supported, promoted, sacrificed to win a world war. They accepted the sacrifice and remained a proud bunch.
True also, they may have given too much. But their intentions with the “small” subsidies they gave the country were meant for their children, the next generation, the baby boomers. It was never intended to be what it is today.
The BB generation gave us anti-american liberalism (not just liberalism). They gave us activism. They gave us environmental anarchy. They gave us feminism. They gave us the ACLU, NAACP, Green Peace, etc.
If their defense, they also gave us some social justice like civil rights. They pushed technology and put a man on the moon. Bill Gates started Microsoft.
There are pros and cons. But the most damaging legacy left by BB will be the values and cultural shift we have been left with. Two income families, low birth rates in to pursuit of wealth, etc.
It is encouraging to note, however, Gen-X may be turning some of this around. More stay at home parents, more private education, more conservative voters, more pro-military, etc. It is not all good as the divorce rate seems to still be high and single moms has not made a turn. There is some signs that Gen-X is more self reliant, ambitious, and values based than our parents. They are certainly saving more than their parents and financially planning better. I attribute the financial planning to the failings and teachings of our parents in the BB generation.
(Flame away)
I’m sorry sir, but from your supremely ignorant words I can only conclude that you were not present during the Boomer growth years and therefore have no idea what you’re talking about. I’d love to see you raised as my parents raised my and my six siblings. Or many of the other Boomers I grew up with. Tough love was the order of the day. Parents and teachers spanked or hit misbehaving kids in those days and were not thrown in jail. Quit the boomer-bashing, and get a life.