Boomer Blues

The futility of 10 years of war eroded youth's commitment to patriotism and America; it shattered almost completely with Watergate. Being committed to the nation no longer gave people hope.

Other institutions, such as religion and the family, could, in theory, replace the nation as a source of hope and identity, keeping young people from turning inward to themselves. But just as belief in the nation was crumbling, belief in God was also fading, and the skyrocketing divorce rate eroded belief in family as well. When people no longer believe that their country is powerful and benevolent, that the family can be a source of enduring unity and support, or that a relationship with God is important -- where else can they turn for identity, satisfaction, and hope? Many people turn to a small and frail unit indeed -- the self.

Belief in the self -- individualism -- need not lead to depression as long as we can fall back on large institutions -- religion, country, family...but in a self standing alone without the buffer of larger beliefs, helplessness and failure can easily become hopelessness and despair.

This is the link to the current epidemic of depression...I believe depression can happen when people find themselves helpless to achieve personal goals or to escape frustrations. When people face failures they cannot control, they feel helpless.

...Martin Seligman   

This excerpt is from Psychology Today, October, 1988, by Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D. The article was based upon his G.Stanley Hall lecture to the American Psychological Association's 1988 annual meeting and adopted from his book, Learned Optimism. Dr. Seligman perhaps gives the definitive explanation for today's daily reports of Road Rage, Sky Rage, increased shootings, suicides and depression...KB.

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