Bertrand Russell, 'History of Western Philosphy' was where I stumbled actoss that, and it made me actively avoid being a grumpy old man, because it means that everything stays the same but our perceptions are the things that change.
Not true though. Not entirely. We live longer and more...
mmmm.... the lot I teach (at uni) are wonderful. Massively nicer than 25 years ago . . .
I agree with the OP that the families are the problem. I don't think he's advocating a return to brutality . . .
Where we live, all is an oasis of calm.