IF things were to go back like it was back in the early 30's (Great Depression, Dust bowl) do you think being the "new generation" like we are now will be able to survive? In reality right now we rely mostly in technology, fast food, etc.. I know there was a thread similiar to this one before in this website but after reading this http://www.godlikeproductions.com/fo...sage518012/pg3 it makes me wonder if we are capable of doing things like the people were back then. Reading the forum made me think about my father who recently passed away. He lived through it all. He was born in 1921 and through out his life he worked three or four jobs, had 12 kids but I never seen him buying and owning anything expensive. He would always take me to the thrift shop and get our clothes there. He never bought anything over $100 unless it was something he really needed. Do you think the "new generation" now are selfish?

I can't get to that link, for some reason.

I don't think we are necessarily more selfish, or even greedy, I think there are more "things" out there for us to have. I also think we are all capable of living through something like the depression, it would just take some getting used to and making the most of what we have. I do take things for granted sometimes and that is an ongoing process of change for me.

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"It's time to move from what we can do, to what we must do, to what we will do." ~Hillary Clinton

Honestly I don't think so. We are a society that lives on conveince. I personally wonder how I would "get by" without my computer!

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IMHO- I think there would be a good mixture- those who would "ride out the storm" and those who would be totally lost. Personally I like to think that I would be fine- I know how to do a lot of "simple" things that were common back then- I can sew (not very well BUT if I had to I could), canning (thanks to my grandma!), I have a little bit of a green thumb and I can be resourceful with what I have on hand. My DH would be a great hubby to have in those times- he is a jack of all trades and a hard worker.

I do think that there is "selfishness" in this generation- BUT I guess that was common in a lot of generations- I believe we are a generation of I got to have it now and fast.

BTW- a very good topic!

We do take things for granted. And this "recession" will undoubtedly open some people's eyes. But I wouldn't make too many comparisons with those older times. My Dad also lived in those times. It was a different world. Communications, transportation, technology. So different that the way we respond to hard times will be different. We are resilient people. It is even possible that we can change and adapt quicker than that older generation could in those times.

Cathleen

I talked about this w/ my uncle a few years back. He was born in 1925, raised on a farm. He remembers picking cotton for a job for a while in the 50's when he got out of the service. Says it was the most miserable work. He thinks many people would not be able to cope with living the way he was raised. Many have no land, can't grow food, don't know how to hunt, if they shot a squirrel or rabbit in the yard, wouldn't have a clue how to skin it or prepare it. Just a few examples.

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My question is, would people stop wanting $300.00 jeans? Or would $150.00 basketball shoes still be in exisitence?

My dh told me about one day this young, single well off girl started crying to my dh, because she was so stressed out. you see, her car had been totaled and the insurance company wanted to total it and pay for a new car, but she wanted her car fixed instead, would have cost about the same either way, and she was freaking out and said she wasnt able to do her job because she was so upset about having to make this decision.
I couldnt believe it, I thought man, if shes losing it over that, I cant imagine what she would do if she didnt have money to buy her designer clothes, purses and shoes....she might have to be committed..
seriously, alot of people are very well off where my dh works (due to family) and they are such babies about the littlest things...... I know we all want a better life for our children, but I refuse to baby them or protect them from everything, I think it doesnt prepare our children for the real world when we feel we need to step in on every issue in their lives.
so my answer is I think alot of people would be ok,,,but I think alot of people would really really have a hard time....jmo

i think there are alot of people that would not be able to handle it. personally i would not like it one bit but could i do it well to survive yes but thats just my personality ya do what it takes... we are very dependent on technology as a society so that would be so tough for people.

I agree. I really on technology to keep me conected to friends and families. People are more spread out now. I would feel alone and Isolated at least until I really started making friends with my neighbors. So really I don't know what I would do if things got to that level. Like all things though we would just have to get by. My Grandmother used to tell of using dandylion greens for soup. Hey it things got really bad we have a lot of dandylions. Personally I don't think it will get to that point but then again I am an optimist.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006