Adults Over 50, What Were Some Negative Aspects About Society "Back In The Day" That People Don't Talk About

Almost everyone experiences nostalgia for the eras they've lived through. Whether one misses old friends, the clothing, the music, or something else entirely, many people look at the past with rose-colored glasses...

However, there comes a point in life when you realize the "good old days" may not have been so good after all. Perhaps as you've gotten older, you view certain things or old "norms" in a different light than you did in your youth:

Maybe everyone talks about the civil rights movement and how prevalent racism was, but they don't talk about how even something as simple as getting a car loan was harder for people of color?

Maybe everyone talks about society's prevalent anti-LGBT views but not how members of the LGBT community had difficulty accessing adequate healthcare? Or the fact that police frequently raided gay bars in an effort to incarcerate LGBT individuals on trumped-up charges?

Maybe the fact that harmful habits, such as smoking or not wearing a seatbelt, were normalized?

Maybe it was the older generations' or politicians' refusal to listen to younger individuals about serious topics such as war, politics, or the environment?

Maybe allowing young children to play outside "until the streetlights came on" led to dangerous situations, such as serious injuries or even kidnappings?

Maybe it was living in constant fear due to the Cold War? Such as bomb drills in school? Or even the worry of you or a loved one being drafted into conflicts, such as the Vietnam War?

Maybe it was the lack of medical knowledge and fear associated with newly discovered diseases? Such as polio outbreaks or the AIDS epidemic?

Or perhaps it was the repression of people's true selves and desires in order to be considered "normal"? Such as being forced to act within gender stereotypes? Or even feeling pressured to marry and have children?

We want to hear from you! Which is why I'm asking older adults: What were the negative aspects of life in the "good old days"? Tell us in the comments below (or, if you would prefer to stay anonymous, use this Google Form). Your response could be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post.