In Joe Voisine’s letter published July 8 (“America does not need more government“), he concludes that the ’50s and ’60s in America were more normal than today.

My following thoughts agree with him.

An often-used word is respect. Yesteryear, yes, adults were respected by young people and authority figures were respected by adults, and anyone older than oneself was generally respected, too.

Unfortunately, I don’t think those dynamics depict the current scene.

Growing up in that era it was expected of us to really learn from parents, teachers and others. Being a serious learner nowadays is out of style for many, being surpassed by indifference and clownsmanship.

During that period society’s tolerance for life’s vicissitudes and annoyances was usually managed with understanding. This was quite different from the widespread attitude of personalized victimhood prevailing today.

Previously, spoken language was gentler, less pointed, helping to encourage harmonious interactions. By contrast, today’s commonly used extreme utterances foster contentiousness and adversely agitates others’ emotions.

Many of today’s young adults, mostly males, are living aimlessly with their boyishness stretching well into their 20s and seemingly loving it. Back along, males reaching that age would be willingly employed and ready to embark in starting a fresh, stable family.

The one huge linking factor in these differences between then and now is the attitude shift from altruism, concern for others, toward egoism. No explanation needed.

Many reasons are behind this significant change, and the effects began emerging in the 60s and have only accelerated since.

Norm Gellatly, Auburn