I'm writing an article about the perceived 'decay' of Western Society.

I'm not sure I want to contribute to this kind of an article, sorry.

I think this is the kind of thing that indicates more than anything else how nostalgic we tend to be, and how difficult it we find it to come to terms with the here and now, so we claim once was better and try to find out why. 

Sorry. I don't buy into that... 

Hi,

Ever since the influence of media became so obtrusive and all encompassing, people have become more and more submissive to their current situation. If western society really is collapsing, it is due to the fact the those in power lack the responsibility to further shape, enhance and enrich our lives, while we as people lack the responsibility of telling those in power what we do and do not want to see or read or hear. If just a handful of successful corporations changed their agendas from "profit" to "cultural enrichment" or "promoting humanity for the next 10,000 years", meaning something global, that the people can relate too on more than a "I have to buy this!" level, I think the differences would speak for themselves. 

i agree with emma the past is falsley idealised. we have always had drugs, alchohal, violence, sex, in western civilization, but i say things are getting better. we have nearly eliminated racism, sexism, and antisemitism, while other easter countries still ave brothels in their bars and hotels the way used to in the old west.

I think most definitely the parents.  People who are able to parent in today's day and age, most of the time, have wonderful kids.  People are just lazy, they care more about their careers, they care more about themselves, and they are having children they never even wanted.  If parenting improved, then the outcome would improve as well.