[manaboutown]

The 1950s and early to mid 1960s were good times in many ways. Our standard of living was gradually improving. The country and indeed the world were recovering from WWII (Marshall Plan in Europe). The GI Bill provided college education opportunities for veterans. I recall reading somewhere that the marriage age in 1958 was the youngest it had been in 200 years, one working parent could support a family and that 12-1/2% of one worker's income provided housing. Young families were moving into newly built suburban housing. Children walked or rode their bikes to and from school where they were safe and well educated by qualified and devoted teachers who were backed up by caring parents. Highways were being built. Life got better and better.

However SAT scores peaked in 1965. Thereafter many aspects of life became increasingly troublesome and difficult. I no longer feel safe from violent personal or property crime; many school systems if they can still even be called that are just awful. I'll stop there as it would be too depressing to continue.