Just recently I wrote a letter concerning how fast the world has
changed. In this one, I would like to say I am disappointed on how
most of the young generation has turned out.
Editor,
Just recently I wrote a letter concerning how fast the world has changed. In this one, I would like to say I am disappointed on how most of the young generation has turned out.
Fifty years ago, where I grew up, we had tremendous respect for women. Those days we used to treat women like queens.
I remember a lodge close to where we lived were I was one of the directors at a nice hall. We would get together there during the week to play cards and different games. It was strictly male. Women found their own entertainment. They got together with neighbors, sewed, knitted, played games, etc. On weekends, we all got together in this large hall for a party or dancing. Two rows of benches stood around the hall. One of the directors controlled it, women sat and men stood. If any seats were left, the old men sat first. Those days they never mixed the men with the women, not even in church. When the music started under the directors’ control only so many were allowed to dance at one time. Someone with a bad name sometimes made the circle with no luck finding a partner. Those days women were to pick her man.
If some of the men got out of hand at one of these parties, people took the law in their own hands. It didn’t happen very often. They knew the consequences.
As a director, I used to run the concessions. In the five years I took care of it before we immigrated, I never saw a woman come in to buy a drink or anything else. I don’t remember seeing a woman smoke in those days. Every family tried hard to teach their kids what they needed to survive. Boys were taught in the fields. Girls were taught at home: washing clothes, cooking and sewing. I was lucky my wife turned out to be a great cook. That’s why I feel kind of heavy when I walk. She was so inclined to sewing that at 19 she was able to make her wedding dress.
Morals those days were very high. Poverty was the biggest problem but we helped one another and people survived. Women always dressed very decent. Men used to work hard to see or get what they were looking for. Women used to really have the men under control.
Lately, I have been hearing women have come a long way. I feel women have lost more than they gained in many ways. In many ways men have lost more moral feelings. Men don’t have to work hard to see or get what they want.
I feel that most of the young generation has devalued themselves through partying, manner of dress, drugs and drinking. It’s not only in America but all over the world. You can see it every day. Just walk into your living room. Or turn on your TV or Internet. It seems women are more out of hand than men. In all the years, one thing I didn’t see change is when a couple dances, women always dance backwards. I doubt if women are going to be able to change that. No offense. Just my opinion.
Amadeu Lima, Hollister
