The 1945-1970 time period really was a golden age in the US in many ways,but things were hardly lollipops and rainbows before then. Fifty to sixty years ago is exactly right - things were different then, but Vietnam and the oil crisis changed things in a fundamental way. It's hard to remember that the unusual time really was that 25 year window, not the time since then.
Every generation has a defining issue or three to deal with. Great Depression, WWII, Desegregation, etc.....
