Why do Americans say that people are less respectful compared to the 'good old days'?

[hi j]

They say all men are scumbags, all women are promiscuous, chivalry is dead, etc etc. Aren't women treated better nowadays compared to 50 years ago?

[Charles B]

Those that say the "good old days" were better in any way, lived a sheltered life or were too damned stupid to know what was going on around them 50 years ago. Just as many people, married or not, had sex 50 years ago, as now. Chivalry was dead in 1946 too. Just ask a former "Rosie the Riveter". I''ll bet the people that tell you people were more respectful then, have at least once, told some one older than them, "Phuque off old man". THEY weren't respectful unless their parents or a teacher was present to threaten them.

[Nixonland]

I think they either just watched I Love Lucy and assumed that America was just that sweet without actually knowing anything about history or they are deep in nostalgia. I'm sure a black woman from those days will have a different story than a white man.