I wonder what age these posters are that say things were no different years ago.
Well as you know I am of advanced years and it is no imagination on my part when I say things were much better years ago.
One could walk in the blackout and never get mugged.
One could go out dancing until the early hours, walk your partner back to her house, which could be many miles, then after saying your goodnights walk back to one's home. On the way one would meet many groups of young men who perhaps were walking in the opposite direction, no confrontations then only the words "Goodnight Mate".
One mentioned Mods, Rockers and Teddy Boys but their bark was generally worse than their bite. Yes some carried flick knives even cut throat razors, although a certain amount of vandalism was attributed to the use of these weapons, hardly any deaths resulted, why I wonder could it be that the death sentence for murder was still in force?
I think the key words for the difference to today are:
Discipline, self respect, police on the streets, respect for authority, bringing shame on your parents and family.
It seems funny when anyone suggests National Service, Police on the streets, Borstal etc, the cry goes out how can we afford it, they managed years ago, could it be we now have our priorities wrong.
And then regarding that word Discipline, out will go the cry child cruelty, Human Rights and others that all go to prevent little Johnny from knowing what's right from what's wrong.