In Times Past
Much of the current social and political debate is about how society is changing for the worst, while others might argue how some things are much better now than in decades or centuries ago.
Yet nothing is said about how this really compares to the past.
Here are two examples how things have changed for the better over the last 100 to 150 years: –
and
Henry Mayhew
I wonder just how many of the younger generation realise just what the reality of life was like in an earlier age as described by Henry Mayhew.
Or
How many of the younger generation would know about, of ever come upon a Tosher or Mud Lark did?
Now that might seem like ancient history many people, but some of the descriptions within the Road to Wigan Pier are still within the living memory of many of the older generation.
Housing
It’s not so long ago that a very high percentage of the population lived in bedsits or HMOs as they are now classed as being.
Remember the expression ‘A shilling for the gas’ ?
Or
How it was normal to sleep in the same room as a gas cooker before that become illegal.
Yes things have improved a lot over the years.
Yet they have not.
– We now have a lot more rough sleepers than in many decades.
– Adult education in terms of evening classes is now almost a thing of the past.
– While one in seven of UK adults are functionally illiterate to a greater or lesser extent.
In Times Now
Margaret Thatcher said that:- “there is no such thing as society”.
While many of her supporters said “Greed is Good!”.
To which there was a response which went:-
The family is dead! Long live the family !
All of which are totally wrong, but they are attitudes which still prevail to this day.
In times to come
Social Change or Social Revolution ?
If history and all the recent events have taught us anything, then we must care for both society and the individual.
That’s something which compliments the concept of: –
Think Global Act Local.