The 'good Old Days'? Feeling Sick To My Stomach

[hc4361]

In the course of my work I stumbled across an article that has left me feeling very sickened and depressed.
It's a real wake up call to those of us who look at the past through rose tinted spectacles. I quote just one section:

Welfare work before the Second World War tended to categorise vulnerable children according to their perceived degree of sexual knowledge and thus culpability for eliciting abuse. Many of the victims were very young; a study produced in 1958 by a woman Police Surgeon noted that of the nearly 2000 cases she examined between 1927 and 1954, half the victims were under 7 years. Nonetheless, victims were not always portrayed as virtuous or innocent, particularly if they were from impoverished backgrounds. A Southwark home for girls who had been sexually abused acknowledged the ‘tragic experience’ of its residents, but pejoratively characterised them as ‘hopelessly ignorant’, ‘dirty in person and habits’, and suffering ‘over-wrought nerves.’

http://www.historyandpolicy.org/policy-papers/papers/child-welfare-child-protection-and-sexual-abuse-1918-1990

I once again give thanks that these horrendous offences are no longer brushed under the carpet and children and adult survivors of abuse are being listened to.

[wolf63]

Humans are not always very nice to each other and I am glad that things are changing.

But I have to ask - what is your field of work?

[Mamyalynne]

In these days of 24 hour News ans lurid headlines it's little wonder we see comments like 'What's happening to the World today?' - it has always been a bad and dangerous place for the vulnerable.

[pixie374]

Many of these ideas still persist... not always so openly, but certainly in a general mindset.
I'm sure there were things about "the good old days" that were better- although I think people mostly seem to lose touch more than anything and that a lot of things haven't changed as much as is perceived. Many of the nostalgia threads we get on here, seem to suggest lifestyles of freedom etc, but which are still very common now.

[hc4361]

wolf, I have always worked with young adults and part of my work involves supporting victims of domestic and sexual abuse.

[wolf63]

The lady that I will be working with this afternoon has a daughter who specialises in that area of work. It can't be easy for anyone to deal with that sort of start to life.

[hc4361]

On a MUCH lighter note it's the same with television - it was better back in the day.
No it wasn't - it was only on a couple of channels for a few hours a day and we have filtered out the rubbish that we used to watch. Some programmes were excellent but so are some current ones.

[Bobbisox1]

In my own experience I was probably cocooned from such happenings ( thankfully) and had a lovely,loving childhood and teen years ,and never heard of the stuff you came across hc , probably this is why my glasses are rose tinted, I don’t know

[wolf63]

I should have added that she is a Social Worker

[Bobbisox1]

To add hc, you do a very worthwhile job, respect to you

[hc4361]

Social workers get a lot of stick, but that the heavens' they exist.

[Butterbun]

From what I've read over the years, children who complained were never believed so the helpless and vulnerable suffered. I'm glad things are changing.

[hc4361]

Bobbi, everyone who didn't experience it was cocooned from it. It certainly was reported in the news and as that report said the perpetrators were rarely charged with the actual offences they committed, with the children often getting the blame.

[The Builder]

I must admit, hc, that my heart sinks when I hear people revere the "good old days".
We all change and develop. I can't help thinking that we're no longer equipped to return to our past .............. thank goodness :o)

[pixie374]

Not everyone changes and develops, I think. I can understand- especially with technology, social sites etc- there have been such fast advances, it is very difficult to keep up with everything as it changes. But people, mostly, remain the same.

[pixie374]

People in general, I mean, rather than individuals.

[Spicerack]

If people had happy childhoods why shouldn't they look back with fond memories. What's the point of taking the retrospective troubles of the world on your shoulders.
Social Workers. Toughest job in the world. Well done.

[hereIam]

Oh hell here we go again for daring to recall our past as 'the good old days'!! I actually have never used that expression, but I do remember my childhood and teenage years (albeit the angst) fondly. Why?? Because I had a good, loving upbringing and wanted for nothing. A warm, safe house to live in, plenty of food on the table, annual holidays and lovely birthdays and Christmases. Am I supposed to apologise for this ? Well, I won't. Horrid things have always gone on in the world and always will and now it seems I'm not allowed to remember 'the good old days' because hc (who is fast turning into some sort of preacher) seems to think I have no right in his roundabout way! And Bobbs, please don't apologise because, you, like me, remember the past fondly and why shouldn't we? We were brought up well and had everything we needed. Just because the things hc has brought to light happened, does not mean it was my fault, or the fault of anybody else who remembers their childhood fondly. I feel my sackcloth and ashes ensemble will be dug out again soon !!! (NOT)..

[pixie374]

Good memories are great. Of course nobody needs to apologise. The problem is that a few people use their own personal experience and then try to compare it with general modern media news... as if that makes it common.

[hc4361]

I, too, had a happy childhood, as did the vast majority of us, hereIam, and I too have very happy memories.
I do get downhearted when older people criticise the modern world and say things are much worse. They aren't.

There is nothing wrong in giving thanks that some of the evil aspects of this world are being dealt with head on instead of buried.

At no time have I said that people shouldn't treasure their happy memories - they give comfort and joy, especially in difficult times.

[Mamyalynne]

I love the nostalgia threads, it gives me chance the get the Donkey Stones out from under the sink.

However the News topic depresses me sometimes with their take on modern life and young people in general.