The Greatest Generation
To talk about generations, one must make generalizations. I hate generalizations, so, let me first say what I mean when I make generalizations. First, it doesn’t fit everyone in the group (generation in this discussion) nor likely doesn’t even fit the majority. But it does fit enough to make an impact on the norms of society. So, we must never apply a generalization to any individual, it might fit but might not. But we can to generations to grasp the changing mores.
In my lifetime, the generation that fought and won WWII is considered the greatest generation. In terms of sacrifice and contribution to our freedom there can be no doubt. But I want to look at contribution to our country’s long-term welfare and future, a contribution that continues over long periods of time, like the lifetime of the generation. This would include some responsibility for the generation they raised, the next generation. The greatest generation were so impacted by the sacrifices they made and those they witnessed that they naturally did not want their children to make sacrifices. So, they raised one of the most pampered generations in history, the ‘boomers’. My generation was between these two so I saw this up close and personal. The boomers were undisciplined, into drugs, averse to work, and counter-culture. The greatest generation had made great sacrifices after the war to finish their education and consequently they valued education highly. So, the boomers were sent to college and many tended to remain there and out of the work environment and far from Viet Nam as long as possible. When that out was used up and equipped with an advanced degree, they went into the two places that have little accountability and overvalue advanced degrees, education and government. Many of the destructive behaviors that are rampant in 2021 were seeded in the boomers. The boomers were educating (indoctrinating) our children starting in the late 60’s and early 70’s on through the rest of the century. But as a reminder of my statement on generalizations; this was a significant but not a majority of that generation. There were many who got their education and went into the work force and made great contributions. This generation made huge advances in science including developing the technology that would allow for the information age we are now enjoying. Unfortunately, the following generations were steeped in how bad our country is. Obama was the first president who did not like America. I continue this explanation of the failure of our education system in ‘Country in Peril’.
One final comment on drugs: Drugs were around and used prior to the 1960’s but it was only a small per centage that did anything more than try it once. In the sixties it became fashionable and endemic. It has been interesting to watch the influence a generation has on the future generations. No way would pot have been legalized until the generations prior to the boomers had died out and the boomers had a majority. It is also interesting that in the 1960’s and 1970’s, the studies of the effects of marijuana concluded that prolonged use caused a cognitive decline. These studies were financed by either the government or the researcher and, as such, were not encouraged either to find effects or not find effects. However, once the cannabis industry was up and thriving and could finance the studies, the studies began to show no ill effects. The drug addiction in this country is a major peril.
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