'What parents allow in moderation children will practice in excess'

A wise man once said, "What parents allow in moderation, children will practice in excess."

Each generation is different. In my parents' day there were big families. Divorce was practically unheard of. Talking about sex was taboo, and love was seldom mentioned. The male was dominant and children were mainly for working, not enjoyment, and were certainly not to speak. Many families made their living from farming; all were hard workers. Our parents' folks had seen the end of horse and buggy and the birth of cars for transportation. Prejudice and intolerance prevailed. Few had phones.

My generation was hard working, wanting to "get ahead." Church going was prevalent, as were long marriages. If one had a high school education, that was acceptable. Generation gap was about not talking (today's children might say a generation gap is not thinking the same way). If one talked on the phone, the conversation was usually brief and to the point. We were more legalistic and judgmental. Girls who went dancing Saturday nights were called loose and wild. If a girl got pregnant, she quickly married or quietly left town.

The next generation (our children) was often college educated. They practiced birth control, had smaller families on which they lavished affection and spoiled their children. Divorce became more common. Jobs moved from farming to manufacturing. There was more acceptance of other races and different lifestyles. Relationships became important. Drugs were introduced and the Hippy emerged -- also the Jesus movement as young people turned to God.

Then comes this generation. Our children, most highly educated, are the computer generation, and cell phone (or is it smart phone?) dependent. Their relationships might be interracial. Gay marriage is rampant. Also common are living together without benefit of marriage and unwed mothers. There definitely are looser morals.

Each decade has its tastes. Take music, for example. I noticed this in church, especially. I grew up loving gospel music, specifically male quartets. Older people might have sung out of songbooks with shape notes -- now we don't even supply hymnbooks -- and hymns were enjoyed by all. Now many churches have two types of services to accommodate their congregations -- a traditional service and a contemporary service. Loud drums have replaced quiet organ music.

Even cars define generations. In my day we loved the expensive Cadillac with its long tail and distinct fins. Lincolns were identified by the trunk, outlined with a spare tire. Studebakers and Packards were uniquely shaped. Even the Ford and Chevy were easily identified. Today, all cars seem to look alike. I can tell an SUV and pickup apart, but not cars.

Fashions change -- my, how they change! Most women my age remember having a floral dress made from flour or feed sacks. And these stiletto heels! Now, if my shoe has over two inch heels, that's high for me. I remember wearing pointed toe shoes in my day, and was warned it would ruin my feet. Aren't they back in style?

Who's to say which generation was best. I'm sure there is good and bad in all of them.

Marie Putman is a former Gravette resident and regular contributor to the Westside Eagle Observer. Opinions expressed are those of the author.