This Conservative Said The 1960s Hurt America Badly. Was He Correct?

The speaker is Tom Fleming, author and historian. The time is 1989 (important to consider) and I was interviewing him for my television series on the 1960s titled Making Sense Of The Sixties. The 1960s is a pivotal moment in the development of modern American conservatism & some issues fueled a conservative backlash that would come to dominate the political landscape. Issues including: Family and Marriage: Many conservatives adhered to traditional notions of family and marriage which emphasized a nuclear family with a working father and a homemaker mother. Single Parenting, especially as a result of divorce or out-of-wedlock births, was generally frowned upon by conservatives in the 1960s. Drugs: The explosion of recreational drug use among young people was largely seen by conservatives as an alarming trend that undermined individual responsibility and societal norms. Civil Rights Movement: While some conservatives were supportive of the principle of civil rights, many were wary of the rapid social change that the civil rights movement represented and concerned about federal overreach in imposing desegregation. Sexual Revolution: The sexual revolution of the 1960s which included increased acceptance of premarital sex and contraception, was often seen by conservatives as a break from moral tradition. Feminism: The rise of second-wave feminism, which demanded equal rights for women in all aspects of life was viewed skeptically by conservatives. Vietnam War: Opinion among conservatives was divided on the Vietnam War. Some supported the war as a necessary part of the fight against communism, while others were more isolationist and opposed American involvement in foreign conflicts. Youth countercultural movement marked by a general rebelliousness among youth, was seen by many conservatives as a sign of moral decline and a lack of respect for authority and tradition. This included opposition to the dress, music, and hairstyles associated with the hippie movement. Communism: Many conservatives in the 1960s were staunchly anti-communist and supportive of efforts to resist the spread of communism, both domestically and internationally. This often included support for aggressive foreign policy actions and a suspicion of leftist movements at home. Whether the concerns of 1960s conservatives have been “proven correct“ is a complex question and depends on one’s perspective. There is however evidence that conservative concerns were to some extent justified. Family and Marriage: The traditional family structure has changed significantly since the 1960s with single-parent households and divorces becoming more common. Some research suggests that children from single-parent families are more likely to face economic hardship and educational disadvantages. Drugs: The “War on Drugs“ initiated by the Nixon administration was, to a large extent, a conservative response to the drug culture of the 1960s. Critics of this policy argue that it has resulted in mass incarceration without effectively addressing the root causes of drug addiction. However, it is true that widespread drug use has had negative effects on individuals and communities, as reflected in the opioid crisis and other substance abuse problems. Civil Rights Movement: Conservatives’ concern about rapid social change and potential for societal division is seen by many as reflected in the racial and political tensions that have continued into the present day. Sexual Revolution: The sexual revolution has resulted in more liberal attitudes towards sex and has been associated with increases in sexually transmitted infections and out-of-wedlock births. Feminism: While women have made significant strides in terms of equality since the 1960s, gender inequality persists in areas such as pay and representation in leadership roles. The societal shift towards gender equality has also coincided with changes in family structures and roles, as many conservatives feared. Vietnam War: The Vietnam War ended in defeat for the U.S., and the conflict is now widely seen as a mistake. This lends some support to the conservative isolationists who were skeptical of American involvement. However, the war also fueled distrust in government and contributed to political polarization, trends which many conservatives have found concerning. Youth Counterculture: The countercultural movement of the 1960s, while associated with positive developments like increased individual freedom and creativity, has also been linked to increases in drug use and other risky behaviors. Communism: The fall of the Soviet Union and the troubles faced by many other communist regimes may seem to validate conservative concerns about the viability of communism. However, the U.S.’s aggressive anti-communist actions, such as the Vietnam War and support for authoritarian regimes, have also had significant negative consequences.