Growing Up After WWII: A Golden Era for Prosperity
By Denis Hay
Description: Growing Up After WWII
Explore why growing up after WWII was the best time to grow up, highlighting the economic boom, social advancements, and Australia’s potential for a compassionate political system.
Introduction
Growing up in the years following the Second World War was an experience many look back on with fondness. This era was marked by significant economic growth, social stability, and numerous opportunities, setting the stage for what many consider one of the best periods in history to build a better life.
However, contrasting these golden years with today’s challenges, it’s clear how much the landscape has changed, primarily due to neoliberal policies. This article delves into why the post-WWII era was so prosperous and how understanding this period can guide us towards a more compassionate and ethical political system using Australia’s monetary sovereignty.
The Post-War Economic Boom
1. Overview of the Economic Boom
The period following WWII saw unprecedented economic growth globally, with many countries experiencing a boom in industrial production and technological advancements. The Australian economy was no exception, as it transitioned from wartime production to peacetime prosperity. Government policies played a pivotal role, with substantial public investments in infrastructure and industries, leading to increased employment and rising living standards.
2. Job Market and Employment Opportunities
During the post-war era, job opportunities were plentiful, particularly in the public sector. Governments at all levels- federal, state, and local – were actively recruiting young people, providing stable and secure employment. Training programs were abundant, ensuring that school leavers could gain valuable skills in various trades and professions.
Social and Cultural Developments
Improved Living Standards
1. Housing Developments and Suburban Expansion
The post-war housing boom led to the rapid development of suburban areas, providing affordable homes for millions of families. These new communities offered better living conditions, with access to modern amenities and a higher quality of life compared to pre-war urban environments.
2. Rise in Consumer Goods and Services
The era saw a surge in the availability of consumer goods, from household appliances to automobiles. This increase in consumer goods not only improved daily living standards but also stimulated economic growth through heightened consumer spending.
Education and Opportunities
1. Expansion of the Education System
Education systems expanded significantly, with more schools and universities being built to accommodate the baby boom generation. Governments recognized the importance of education in driving economic progress and social mobility, leading to widespread access to quality education.
2. Scholarships and Government Support
Scholarships and government grants made higher education accessible to many who otherwise could not afford it. This investment in education ensured a well-educated workforce, which was crucial for sustaining economic growth.
3. Increase in Vocational Training and Technical Education
Vocational training and technical education flourished, providing practical skills needed for various industries. The Technical and Further Education (TAFE) system in Australia became a cornerstone of this effort, offering training that met the demands of the growing economy.
Health and Welfare
1. Advancements in Healthcare and Medical Technology
The post-war period saw significant advancements in healthcare, with improvements in medical technology and public health initiatives. These advancements increased life expectancy and improved overall health outcomes for the population.
2. Introduction of Welfare Programs and Social Safety Nets
Governments introduced welfare programs to support those in need, ensuring a safety net for the unemployed, elderly, and disabled. These programs contributed to social stability and reduced poverty levels.
Personal Stories and Anecdotes
Life in the 1950s and 1960s
1. Day-to-Day Experiences of Families
Families during this period enjoyed a stable and predictable life. With secure jobs and rising incomes, many could afford homeownership, cars, and holidays. Community life was vibrant, with local events and social gatherings being central to daily life.
2. Childhood Activities and Pastimes
Children had a variety of outdoor activities and pastimes. Sports, playgrounds, and community centres provided spaces for recreation and socialization, contributing to a wholesome childhood experience.
3. Community Life and Social Interactions
Community life was strong, with neighbours knowing each other and taking part in communal activities. This sense of community fostered social cohesion and mutual support.
Interviews and Memories
1. Quotes from Individuals Who Grew Up During This Period
“Growing up in the 1950s, I remember the optimism and the sense of opportunity. Jobs were secure, and there was a clear path to a stable future.” – John, 82.
2. Personal Reflections on the Era’s Opportunities and Challenges
Personal stories highlight how the opportunities of the time shaped lives positively, providing a contrast to today’s more uncertain economic environment.
A Reflection on the Transformation of Employment Opportunities: My Journey
1. Personal Experience of Leaving School in 1957
When I completed my schooling in 1957 at the age of 15, the idea of struggling to find a real, full-time, and secure job with fair wages was unimaginable. Back then, employment opportunities were abundant, especially in the public sector.
Federal, State, and Local governments were keen on hiring thousands of young school leavers annually, providing them with exceptional training in various trades and professions. Additionally, many of us had the chance to pursue university education through scholarships, and our TAFE system was renowned for its excellence.
2. Comparison with Today’s Job Market and the Impact of Neoliberal Policies
However, the employment landscape has drastically changed over the past four decades, due to the influence of neoliberal policies. Even individuals with university degrees face immense challenges in securing full-time, stable employment. This shift has led to a costly and inefficient system driven by corporate greed and favouritism towards businesses that support neoliberal politicians.
3. Challenges Faced by Today’s Youth in Securing Full-Time, Stable Employment
The impact on today’s youth is particularly disheartening. Many are left to contend with the harsh reality of part-time or casual jobs, devoid of adequate working conditions or job security. It’s a deplorable situation, to say the least, and a stark contrast to the opportunities that were available in my youth.
Comparative Analysis with Today
Opportunities Then and Now
1. Comparing Job Markets and Employment Security
The job market of the post-war era offered greater security and stability compared to today. With the rise of casual and gig economy jobs, many workers now face uncertainty and lack the benefits once standard in full-time employment.
2. Differences in Education Systems and Accessibility
While education is still critical, the costs have soared, and access to higher education has become more challenging for many. The scholarships and government support that once made education widely accessible have diminished.
3. Changes in Healthcare and Welfare Support
Healthcare advancements continue, but access and affordability have become significant issues. Welfare programs are less robust, leaving many without the support they need.
Challenges Then and Now
1. Economic and Social Challenges Faced in the Post-War Era
Despite the prosperity, the post-war period was not without its challenges. Economic recessions, inflation, and social tensions did arise, but the overall trend was towards growth and improvement.
2. Modern-Day Challenges and Uncertainties
Today’s challenges include job insecurity, high living costs, and the erosion of social safety nets. These issues create a more precarious environment for many, contrasting sharply with the stability of the post-war era.
Lessons for the Future
Learning from the Past
1. What Contemporary Society Can Learn from the Post-War Era
The policies and investments that drove post-war prosperity offer valuable lessons. Investing in education, infrastructure, and social programs can foster similar growth and stability today.
2. Policies and Practices That Could Be Revived or Adapted
Reviving support for public education, expanding vocational training, and ensuring job security through government programs can help recreate some of the post-war era’s benefits.
Building a Better Future
1. How Understanding This Period Can Guide Current and Future Generations
By understanding the successes and challenges of the post-war era, policymakers and society can make informed decisions to address contemporary issues effectively.
2. Encouraging Discussions on Improving Today’s Socio-Economic Conditions
Encouraging open dialogue about economic policies, social programs, and the role of government can lead to better solutions for today’s challenges.
Conclusion
Summary of Key Points
1. Recap of Why the Post-War Era Was a Unique and Prosperous Time
The post-war era was marked by economic growth, social stability, and numerous opportunities, making it a unique period of prosperity.
2. Reflection on Personal Stories and Societal Advancements
Personal stories and societal advancements highlight the era’s positive impact, providing a stark contrast to today’s challenges.
Call to Action
1. Share Their Thoughts and Personal Stories
Share your thoughts on how life after WWII compares to today. Do you think we can learn from the past to improve our future? Comment below!
2. How Past Lessons Can Inform Present and Future Policies
Engage in discussions about how past lessons can guide current and future policies to create a more fair and prosperous society.
Social Sharing
By exploring why growing up after WWII was such a prosperous time and comparing it to today’s challenges, this article aims to offer valuable insights and encourage discussions on how we can learn from the past to build a better future.
This article was originally published on Social Justice Australia.
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6 comments
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Bert -
Canguro -
New England Cocky -
Arnd -
Clakka -
paul walter
Return to home pageFor a very brief period of history something approaching a fair distribution of wealth existed in the reconstruction after WWII.
And then we blinked and the power imbalance has been restored.
Denis’s essay is generally accurate across the points he makes, but as in everything, there are exceptions to the main theme. Donald Horne’s The Lucky Country, first published in 1964, was ‘a wake-up call to an unimaginative nation, an indictment of a country mired in mediocrity and manacled to its past.’ Horne wrote “Australia is a lucky country, run mainly by second-rate people who share its luck.’
I have no quarrel with the argument that many thousands of families prospered, that children grew up with opportunity, that work was abundant, and that growth seemed to be flourishing in all areas, but equally it has to be acknowledged that there was a darker underbelly to all this prosperity; that there were many thousands of returned soldiers who carried unresolved trauma from their wartime experiences and that this trauma almost invariably influenced not only their lives but those of their partners, children and others close to them, and that those people, by virtue of that closeness, experienced lives often coloured by violence, abuse, terror, confusion, mental & emotional distress and worse. For them, the experience of growing up after WWII was in reality a living nightmare.
Canguro makes good points about the neglect of ex-service personnel that continues up to the present as shown by the recent report of thousands of unopened claims. But Donald Horne is correct ….. now the ”second rate people who share its luck” have sold out the farm to any interested foreign owned multinational corporation willing to pay peanuts and a brown envelope for government concessions to particularly COALition politicians. How many COALition scams do we have to list from their last nine (9) too long years in power??
However, LABOR are no angels, displaying a remarkable lack of intestinal fortitude to prosecute the COALition crooks (especially the Robodebt scam set up by Scummo of the Secret Ministries), sacking the Big 4 accountancy corporations for breach of trust and limiting gas exports so that gas supply is available to eastern Australia at production cost.
Perhaps in the remainder of this Parliament those living under the Canberra Bubble might just discover that regional Australia is bigger than the ACT.
I’m with Canguro: sure, you can put on your rose-coloured glasses and look back on the Golden Days of post-WWII reconstruction, informed by a Keynesian compact and an appreciation that people had not fought their way through the war to be returned to the privations of the Great Depression.
So people set out to build better lives for themselves, and mostly succeeded.
But ask Stan Grant what he thinks about growing up in the 60s. Or Christine Felscherinow. Germaine Greer didn’t write The Female Eunuch for no reason.
Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, the Club of Rome’s Limits to Growth … – things simply couldn’t go on as they were, even if we wanted to. And I, for one, certainly didn’t want to.
That things had to change was always clear to me. It’s the how and why that proved a lot more difficult to determine. But I did eventually develop some ideas which I consider useful.
Communicating those ideas effectively has so far eluded me.
Yes Canguro, I agree.
And what’s more, to me it it smacks of parochial hubris rooted in the attitudes of the old imperia to be thinking of the prosperity of only ourselves. That both the Great War and WWII were out of the squabbles of the greedy oppressive aristocratic relos of the ‘West’ over the spoils extracted from ordinary struggling folk.
After having moved in, extracted resource and press ganged the populace as cannon fodder, the utter wreckage wrought across Europe, Africa and the east and the folk, left them never so lucky as Oz. Many of those folk had to leave their wrecked homelands to go and work in slave-like conditions for years to rebuild western Europe / Britain first. All whilst the wreckage of their own lands and cultural structures lay in waste, for many, right through to today.
The devious hypocrisy of participating in the wreckage and bloodshed, then using euphemisms like ‘providing opportunity and safe haven’ in place of the reality of ‘further exploitation’, is absurd. And today, as the chickens come home to roost, there are many all over the more fortunate world that seek to divide into ‘others’ and blame them for the more fortunate world’s bling saturated despoiling of their own lands and their lazy stupidity and anti-science.
That many of that fortunate world remain brainwashed by the greedy wiles of the now corporatized elite and their toady governments will, it seems, if unchecked bring global ruination.
Against that tide, to be untrapped, it seems we all must deliberately deconstruct and reconstruct our paradise to a minimal footprint. Then we might have the prosperity of humus and fresh air.
Fairly good state of play.
I see my childhood through rose coloured glasses. I remember the wrinklies telling us they did not know what chicken was, back the depression. Mandatory cricket pads or bat for Xmas and out into the park to play cricket or footy with the other lads. Out for the day adventuring somewhere and the folks not concerned except if we were home late for tucker. Trips to museums and national parks. Reading books, for god’s sake! Bugs Bunny, a helpful addition as TV and often its BS intruded in on our lives.
Always straight-forward. Lucky country, thousands of miles from anywhere.
One always finds it easy to forget some of the poverty and social injustices, the bullying at school and on the streets. Marriage break ups, some of the kids mute for dark reasons we could not understand.
Thatcherism and the seventies recession changed it all.
The wrinlkies nodded knowingly from a quiet corner,
“We told you so..”