Nostalgia’s a funny thing since everything seems so perfect & simple back then. But was it really all that great? We might like to think of the past as a golden age when everything was better yet there are some dark sides to those “good old days” that we often forget. Here are ten reasons why romanticizing the past isn’t such a good idea after all. It’s time to stop sugar-coating!
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Racism and Segregation Were the Norm
Back in the day, racism was the law and Jim Crow laws made segregation legal. People of color had to use different schools, bathrooms—you name it. It was a time of blatant discrimination. As such, thinking back fondly on these times without acknowledging this reality does a disservice to the struggles that many people of color had to deal with.
Women Had Fewer Rights
In the past, women couldn’t vote, work certain jobs or even own property—just because of their gender. This didn’t change until the 19th Amendment in 1920 and even after that for other aspects of life. The fight for women’s rights has come a long way. Of course, there’s still room for improvement. But even so, forgetting these struggles is wrong.
Public Health Was a Hot Mess
Before modern medicine & sanitation, people dropped like flies from diseases we barely think about today. Sicknesses like the bubonic plague, smallpox & tuberculosis were rampant. Clean water wasn’t a given—and let’s not even start on the lack of vaccines. Public health is far more of a priority these days. And thanks to science, we’re living much healthier lives.
Child Labor Was Everywhere
For many kids, working in factories & mines was completely normal. Rather than learning the value of hard work, many children were killed or seriously injured as a result of this work. Thankfully, laws have changed. Yet it’s still a part of history we can’t ignore nor pretend didn’t exist. Really, looking at the past through rose-tinted glasses is quite dangerous.
The Environment Took a Backseat
Industrial progress came with a huge price tag for the environment as pollution & deforestation were rampant in the past. People gave little thought to the consequences. Rivers caught fire & smog-choked cities as wildlife suffered—all in the name of progress. That’s not to say these things don’t happen now. But at least we fight a little harder for environmental protection today.
Infant Mortality Rates Were Heartbreaking
Back then, having a baby was much more dangerous than it is today due to high infant mortality rates. Many families expected to lose children to disease, malnutrition—or even a lack of medical care. Just the idea that their children wouldn’t reach their fifth birthday was a reality for parents. Essentially, every day was a battle against the odds. That’s not something we’d like to revisit.
Education Wasn’t for Everyone
If you weren’t wealthy or male, it was highly unlikely you’d receive an education. Schools were a luxury many couldn’t afford or weren’t allowed to attend and this lack of access kept people trapped in cycles of poverty. But it wasn’t just individual futures that were limited. Unfair education meant that societal progress fell behind because we lost a lot of potential talent. How many geniuses never made it to school?
Justice Was Often Brutal
The justice system was no joke as harsh punishments like public executions & floggings were common. For example, petty crimes could lead to extreme sentences while the concept of rehabilitation was nonexistent. Rather than keeping order, the law was meant to make an example of people. Sure, the system isn’t perfect today. However, you have to appreciate the legal protections & rights we do have.
Poverty and Inequality Were Rampant
In the past, the gap between the rich & the poor was enormous—if you were on the wrong side of it, life was tough. There were relatively few safety nets and social mobility was a dream for most. In fact, whole families lived in single-room dwellings with little hope for improvement. Sadly, this created a cycle of poverty that was nearly impossible to break.
Diet and Nutrition Were Limited
People’s diets lacked half the foods you love today. No avocados from Mexico, no bananas from Ecuador, no coffee from Colombia—unless you lived in those places, of course. People ate what was local & seasonal. Although that wasn’t bad, it meant that variety didn’t really exist. Winter diets were the worst. You had to rely on preserved foods that could last through the cold months.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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