Was life better back in the 1950s?

There's a journalist who works on the Express & Star newspaper who often writes that the 1950s were not as safe as today. He has to be kidding! He's of an age to remember the fifties, so I don't know what he goes on about.

Today we have to lock ourselves in our homes. Back in the fifties we hardly ever locked the door. Some people left the door key on string through the letterbox. Everyone knew this happened. Never once were we robbed. True, we didn't have any money, or anything valuable, that burglars could take, but in today's society you can get knocked out for fifty pence.

Neighbours would give you a shout when they went to the shops asking if you wanted any shopping. If you had a line of washing out they'd run across the terrace and tell you. If you were out they'd fetch it in for you. Not nowadays. They couldn't get it in anyway; our back gates are kept locked and bolted, our fences are too high. We're locked in because of the possible threat of robbers. Should you not take this action your insurers won't payout.

Communities were friendlier back then than today. If you were short, of say, even a couple of potatoes or a cup of sugar your neighbour would willingly share what they had. Shoud you be ill they’d come round and take your youngsters back to their place. Everyone knew their neighbours, not just next door but most of the street, this doesn't happen in today’s busy society. Possibly, because more women go out to work to help the family budget.

Not so many people had cars or money for holidays in the fifties. No-one had their own telephone, apart from the wealthy. If you were in trouble, a neighbour would run for the doctor or to the nearest phone box, if you had the pennies for the call. The same for the local police constable, this is something else that is missing in our society. In those times the local officer on the beat knew everyone by their Christian name, he knew where you lived. What happened? We got mobile.

Even back in the late 1960s and 1970s I knew many of the local police. Gradually they've faded from our streets and even the local police station is closed for much of the day. Not because the crime rate has gone down, it's because they can't afford to keep it open.

I'm not looking back with rose-tinted glasses either. I appreciate much of what we have nowadays as compared to back then. But I do miss the friendliness of those times. I never remember feeling afraid and having to lock not only the front door but the back door as well! Sure if the burglars are going to get in they will whatever you do to secure your home, but as mentioned earlier if you don't your insurance won't pay out.