Have we gotten more judgmental?

[Janet]

Originally Posted by Marilyn

In another thread, we were discussing retro television, and Tink mentioned that on the Dean Martin Show, he smoked and drank and it was still considered family viewing.

This is so true. I look back at how we dressed in the 60' and 70's and it seems that we have gotten more judgmental than in the past. We wore short skirts or shorts and halter tops and it was okay, but we did not sleep around. Now the everyday dress is actually more conservative, but more people are sexually active.

It's kinda like there is more bad in the world so to differentiate from the bad, we have gone extreme on where we draw the line sometimes. And yet, we are more accepting of other behaviors that in the past were considered bad.

Example:

Then - It was okay for Dean Martin to drink and smoke on TV, but it was unthinkable that a graphic love scene would be shown. They went so far as to have married couples in twin beds, i.e. Dick Van Dyke Show.

Now - Drinking and smoking would be very out of place on a "family" show, but living together and not being married would be okay. Also, homosexuality during family time on TV is now considered okay.

Maybe we are not more judgmental, just that the standards of appropriateness have changed. Any thoughts?

Marilyn, you have brought up some very interesting thoughts. I'm not sure if we're more accepting, maybe just a little more hardened. We tend to stay quiet and look the other way.

As far as Dean Martin's show, it really wasn't "family" viewing. It was aimed more at adults and the cocktails and smoking went on in most families until it was discovered just how dangerous it actually was. The short skirts and halter tops were not okay back then. There was a movement going on, hippie lifestyle, Vietnam..etc. Those that dressed like that were judged as druggies and crazies (many were). Our parents were horrified. Now they are wearing short tops and low riders or see through, skimpy tops. I think we just quit voicing our concerns unless it's to our children and some parents don't even bother.

As for the sleeping around...it was done just as much...just not as out in the open. Television and movies didn't help either. The knew it was going on, people letting it happen, so why not make money showing on the tube or theaters. Life has become so much more dangerous even for the simple folk. You don't dare voice your opinion or face some kind of retribution. It's scary, the world we live in.

I really think we are just as judgemental as we were back then, people just look the other way, too busy to want to make a stand so we don't. Not meaning we are more accepting, just too tired and feel what good will it do anyway.