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Across the Fence:  Fifties idealism?  |
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ivmeer
True Blue Farmgirl
409 Posts
Amanda
Pawtucket
RI
USA
409 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 17 2008 : 2:31:16 PM
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| In 1952 my grandfather left my grandmother with 3 little kids and never paid child support. She was forced to move in with her aunt and her family took care of her kids while she worked as a barmaid and then a beautician. I highly recommend you watch the movie "Pleasantville." The nostalgia we have for the '50s comes from television, which presents a very unrealistic view of the world. Also, the '50s were when things started to go really wrong in this country as far as farming, sustainability, sprawl etc. |
Edited by - ivmeer on Dec 17 2008 2:31:32 PM |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Dec 17 2008 : 2:43:05 PM
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Hmmm. this is really interesting to me..... I was born in '70. But I was definitely raised in 50-60's fashion. As a young child we (my cousins and myself) were not permitted to watch TV at any old time. Only on Sunday nights (Disney) and Staurday morning cartoons. I was raised on a modest dairy farm in central Ohio, my mom was a single mom and I stayed at my grandfathers farm most the time (cousins lived next door). We'd get up, have to eat breakfast, then outside chores, clean up and to school Days off consisted of the same except we were locked outside for the day. My grandpa and aunt always told us if there wasn't blood dont be comin in and out of the house all day. We played for hours in rain, sun and snow. In the 80's my mom remarried a guy who looked like Fonzie. He was a leftover greaser fromthe 60's. More of the same. I was taught that you spoke when spoken to, be polite and respect your elders. Even in the 80's, my mom and step dad met with friends/family for poker games and cocktails. In return I developed a great work ethic and still respect my elders. I think times were definitely tougher then, but also maybe less scary. Bad things weren't publicized as they are today making abuse, violent crimes the norm. Also, I think that what may be the problem with a lot of kids today (mine included-she's 16). Moms COULD stay home and address the childs needs. They could send them to their room where they'd repent..... I think its great that the younger generation wants to take bits and pieces from another era and make it their own. I'm 38 and it's all finally starting to come together for me..... out of those bits and pieces make sure you gather some morals and values as well.....
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-Mother Hen
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
Posted - Dec 17 2008 : 2:58:49 PM
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Well as we talked about i know there were uglies back then as there are uglies of today, BUT the values is what I'm focusing on and the pictures that I see from my family. If I'm in my bubble hehe let me be :-p It is interesting to hear what you all have to say good and bad......:)
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 06:46:23 AM
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Be the bubble.......be the bubble..........
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-Mother Hen
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 07:15:03 AM
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Yes, manners, values,morals, ethics, basic learning and understanding...I think these are some things not being taught or even shown by many and everything is taken for granted.
Dawn- did you live in the same house as me??? We got to watch Saturday and Sunday morning cartoons and the Love Boat and Battlestar Galactica when it was on, othewise, it was the stereo, playing Barbies or being outside if the temp. was about 50.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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abbysshadow
True Blue Farmgirl
224 Posts
Sherry
Dayton
Nevada
USA
224 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 07:20:53 AM
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Nice topic! I was born in '56, and in the 70's I was totally hooked on "I Love Lucy" because I was fascinated seeing the fashions and furniture, cars etc. that were popular around the time when I was born. Of course that was set in NY, and I was born and raised on the west coast, but it gave me an idea of how things looked in the 50's. I love hearing and seeing how things were and how people dressed and thought in our country's past. I wish they would have focused on some of that stuff in U.S.History (all eras), it would have so much more interesting!
...I cannot do all the good that the world needs, but the world needs all the good that I can do... |
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CountryBorn
True Blue Farmgirl
1545 Posts
Mary Jane
New York
USA
1545 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 07:25:47 AM
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Have fun in your bubble Bridget!!
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
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homemom
True Blue Farmgirl
1593 Posts
Ruth
Warwick
RI
USA
1593 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 07:25:54 AM
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So many good points made here. Technology is a wonderful thing but I think that we are too hooked up these days. Kids don't know how to play. The tv is on all day or there are video games. I like to see kids inventing new things, creating stories and characters, using their imaginations.
There were more values stressed in the 50's and better functioning families but right along with that there was dysfunction. It would be great to take the best of each era and bring it into our lives today.
I was born in 72 and my brothers and I were latch key kids. I wanted more than anything for my mother to be at home in the evening. I can remember hating it that she wasn't. I am so thankful that I am blessed to have the opportunity to stay home with my kids.
Blessings,
Ruth
Living the farm life in my heart.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth
http://farmgirlinmyheart.blogspot.com/ |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 08:27:48 AM
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Yeah I was just telling my boyfriend about all of this and how I truly want to be there for my future kids.
I do wish kids could enjoy like non electronic things as much as electronic. I look at "under privileged" kids and how they are happy with almost anything because they make do but those that have privilege if you will think ew thats boring or ew thats not cool. Lord if I said that oh no no no. I also never said I was bored because I was taught it shows you are acting less than intelligent and probably aren't using all that god gave you :-p If I mimicked bratty things other kids said mum would correct me. What happened to correctly poor behavior?! I def sound old now :-p I just want the best society we can have.
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/
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vermont v
True Blue Farmgirl
194 Posts
Victoria
Chester
Vermont
USA
194 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 4:26:33 PM
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Wow! The bratty kid comment struck a nerve. It seems when I go somewhere the kids I see are always whining, crying unhappy tearing things up and talking back to their parents.Yipes! Our neighbor SAHM across the street has two wonderful little girls that are happy and playing with each other; sometimes getting into mischief but its just kid stuff and these kids are a pleasure to be around. Unfortunately the other type of kid seems to be predominating. I think parents are afraid to set limits. There were limits when we were kids; if we went to someone's house we asked permission before we did anything!We were not allowed to be bratty. |
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2269 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2269 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 5:48:06 PM
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The 50s were the golden years of this country. My knowledge doesn't come from tv; I was a 50s teenager. There was much more emphasis on responsibility, values, morals, and manners; most people knew what was expected of them and did their best to do it. Children were disciplined when they needed it and usually learned the lesson from it. I see far too many children now who totally lack any manners at all and probably don't even know what the word discipline means; it has gotten now where a child who says "Thank you" or "Excuse me" is really noticed because it is such an unusual occurance. People interacted more with each other personally rather than on the internet. I remember every Thanksgiving at our home after dinner all the adults would play Monopoly; now everyone just veges out in front of the tv. Yes, there were the "uglies"; unfortunately there always will be some of that in one way or another, but it seemed to me that people then did try to improve their situation themselves rather than blaming it on something else.
Judith (climbing off my soapbox)
Happiness is Homemade |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 12:30:15 AM
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I was born in 1952 and I have to say that the 50's were the best years in my opinion. People were more trusting, they took you at your word, your word was your bond, the world felt safer, and things were much simpler. Kids could go outside to play and their parents didn't have to worry. There were no computers, every house only had one phone and one TV (which there were about 3 stations that weren't on 24/7). People spent more time together and the kids spent time playing and using their imaginations. The best part is that most mom's were homemakers and took pride in it. My mom did work but it never seemed to both my sister and I. We stayed with a nice older lady every day after school and helped her feed her chickens.
Yes, there were bad people and bad things did happen. But nothing like now. There were tough times too. My parents did not have much money. I remember many times that they would not eat dinner so there would be enough food for us kids to eat. In spite of the hardships I loved my childhood and never felt like we struggled.
I lived in a little rural town of 200 people. We moved there when I was in the 2nd grade. My father was the town blacksmith. No one in town had dial phones. There was still a switchboard operator that everyone had to put their calls through - like on Andy Griffith. Everyone had their own ring and your had to remember what it was so that you would know whether to answer the phone or not. I used to go to the switchboard office and sit and visit with the operator. About two years later we got dial phones and everyone thought they were living uptown!
My kids just look at me in amazement when I tell them some of the stories of my childhood. I truly love my life now but I wish I could take it and put it back in those days when things were simpler.
Handmade Soap and More! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100 |
Edited by - therusticcottage on Dec 19 2008 12:35:36 AM |
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crazyapple
Farmgirl in Training
14 Posts
Cyndi
Gladstone
Oregon
USA
14 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 03:39:42 AM
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Meg, In Timely Fashion is one of my favorite sites. I'm one of those "past dressers" although not as consistently as I would like. I hate wearing pants but I find that when I wear longish skirts other women seem to take it as some sort of challenge or statement.
No one seems to comment on women who choose to dress very revealingly or wear pants exclusively, I don't get why my preferring dresses and skirts, irks them.
One of my favorite movies is "Blast from the Past" with Brendan Fraser. He stands out so much because of the different set of values and social habits he was raised with and yet he charms everyone. I'm always reminding my boys that I'm raising them to be gentlemen and I suppose I am raising them with some very "Old-Fashioned" habits.
Glad to see others who appreciate the better points of the past.
Crazyapple
"It's Never Too Late To Be Who You Might Have Been" G. Eliot |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 06:50:03 AM
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I think part of the problem, Cyndi, is that they see it as a way of "holding woman back" or something like it sets women back. Silly, I know... : )
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 10:09:10 AM
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I think what we are all saying is we want to return to simpler times, where people meant more than things. I know that has really become my focus the last couple years. Between my antiques business closing and our Real Estate Guide closing, both due to the economy, we are experiencing very lean times, but it is also exciting . . . learning to be crafty again, to make do, and to see how far we can stretch that turkey! It is truly a good thing. And, Celeste, while I do agree there was repression, spousal abuse is at a much higher rate now than it ever was in the 50's. The anger level is at an all time high, I believe because everyone is on "overload" and so anxiety is at a peak. My husband is a paramedic and you wouldn't believe the things he has seen! I think if we were to return to simpler times and be less materialistic and instead focus on relationships, the abuse rate and even crime rate would lower. This week, with a ton of snow hitting Spokane, I have been able to see the good in people as they help each other. We helped push several people out of the snow yesterday and tonight are doing a grocery run for both sets of parents and other shut ins. But we are seeing many doing this and it really makes me see that all is not lost . . . we really can become the people we long to be.
Hugs & blessings,
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
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knittingmom
True Blue Farmgirl
665 Posts
AnneMarie
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
665 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 10:19:37 AM
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I think for the most part our society has lost civility. People generally don't say please and thank you. Doors are no longer held open (either by men or women), clerks in stores are rude, children are rude and demanding, adults are rude and demanding. We should start a civility movement!
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world" |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 11:36:52 AM
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Brenda yes, my idealism is what I wish we could "bring back" and us FGs tend to be doing just that. I wish we could use the good we have today and take the good from the past and implement it back into life now. I think those of you hit it on the head with manners, pride, dignity, respect, values, morals, etc and simplicity. I think people were more content and happier but still driven from what I understand. We want want want and wish wish wish now and seem to always be chasing the rainbow missing out on the miracle of now.
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/
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knittingmom
True Blue Farmgirl
665 Posts
AnneMarie
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
665 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 12:27:27 PM
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Bridget, I think you're quite right that people were content and happier generally, they were satisfied with what they had since they had to save to get it (no such thing as instant credit and don't pay until 2010) and they built relationships with each other rather than plugging in (since there was no plugging in).
I think it's that disconnect that's the bigger issue, people have lost the art of socializing (not talking bar hopping here), before the advent of TVs in every home people used to get together with their neighbours and friends, played cards, talked, enjoyed each other's company. Kids went outside and played.
You're also correct in that many people are living in the future (of wish wish wish and want want want) and are forgetting to live in the now.
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world" |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 12:31:54 PM
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I too wish the world to be a sweeter, safer place. I think my hair goes white just thinking of Nora playing outside by herself right now, and yet, as a child of the 80's I got to play outside as much as I wanted, go to friends houses, ride my bike...but we also grew up in a TINY town (5,000 people).
One of Nora's first phrases has been "Thank You" and now she is picking up "Yes, Please!" or even just "Please!"
I am determined to make our home feel safe and welcoming. I think one of the best ways to help the world turn around is by leading by example. Nora and later on Nora's friends will see our house, hopefully love it, and maybe it will seep in to her friends and maybe they will one day want to reproduce that loving safe environment for themselves and their children.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 12:38:26 PM
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Well put Alee. As that famous saying goes: Be the change you want to see.
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
MJ's Heirloom Mavens Badgebadger
MJ's Heirloom Mavens Bookclub Coordinator
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 12:39:04 PM
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:) AnneMarie and Alee;)
I mean I'm a NOT above anyone and am totally guilty at times in getting caught up in todays ways....but I also step back and realize many times!!! :-p Alee if I could pop through the screen I'd SO give you the biggest hug and kiss in how you are raising Nora!!!! THANK YOU for doing that.
I want to have the best house possible and welcome others into it. I can say lately I am trusting less people and feeling less safe....not sure why it is actually a new feeling lately. i'm an overly trusting person. I want to bring back cards, cocktails, socializing, manners, pride, and values....amongst other things. This post has made me think even deeper and want to make these things a reality. I think I'm scared to try and fear noone else wanting the same. hehe I want community in communities. I also want fabric hankies and cash and simplicity. lil things that I want to implement into life and share with others.
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 12:46:57 PM
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Scott and I are trying our dardest to bring back game playing and not those dirty games either but Scrabble, Monopoly and Life. People want to come but want to drink the entire game, acting like my house is a pub or something. : O
I, too, take a long time to trust people Bridget. I figure, I have a child who can't defend himself and is VERY impressionable, so I want only good hearted people around.
WHY can't we all live near each other..WHY???? : ) How much fun would we have and we could take over an entire neighborhood and never worry about a thing.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 4:32:18 PM
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Rustic Cottage: You brought back a memory for me.... party lines. I'm 38 but I DO remember the last stages of the party line. You had to wait for others to get off the phone before you made your call..... and Love Boat. HA! I had forgotten, Facts of Life....
And playing. Yes. We are tooo hooked up. My 16 yo dd.... I want to take her phone and throw it in the chicken poop. She'd have a heart attack! When we moved out here she was so bored. There are woods, and a creek and country roads to ride her bike on.... not once.... she wanted to go live with Daddy in the big city......hated it here. Good grief..... my nieces come over (15 and 12) and they live up near Cleveland.....we are forever catchin frogs and looking for deer rubs. They love it!!!
Bridget: I'm only about 4 hours away from you! Been to your neck of the woods once!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-Mother Hen
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Across the Fence: Fifties idealism? |
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Fifties idealism?
