Most people who have read classic literature have come across those who were described as being “of great character”. These people embodied traits such as integrity, honesty, strength, and courage (just to name a few), and were generally admired by everyone around them.
Some of the character traits they exhibited, however, seem to be far less visible or widespread in today’s generations. In particular, the traits listed below seem to be almost entirely lost nowadays, and the world is a much dimmer place due to their absence.
1. Bearing difficulty with grace and dignity.
My grandfather was one of the most noble, genteel people I have ever known. He was a decorated soldier and behaved with incredible dignity until his dying day. I remember when he battled shingles in his 80s — a condition that’s excruciating to contend with — and the only moderately negative thing he said about the experience was that he was “on the mend.”
This is quite a contrast to people who express their great dismay and discomfort to everyone around them, whether in person or online. It has become the norm for people to discuss all the details of their health issues in stark detail with anyone and everyone, rather than keeping things to themselves and bearing them with grace (and discretion).
2. Being accountable for yourself and your actions.
Many of us were raised to understand the importance of being accountable for our own actions. For example, if we wronged someone or did something untoward, it was up to us to not only admit to it but to take action to make amends. Many people in the past stood up and admitted wrongs that carried great penalties, and didn’t make excuses for their actions. They simply admitted them and accepted the consequences as they came.
Contrast that with the modern proclivity that so many folks have to find any excuse possible to avoid responsibility for their actions. They’re often quick to blame someone/something else for their wrongdoing, and use victimhood as both a shield and a cudgel to absolve themselves of culpability.
3. Exercising conversational restraint.
The comments section online has given countless people the impression that voicing their opinion isn’t just acceptable — it’s encouraged. Many have taken this perceived permission into their real-life interactions as well, interjecting comments and offering unsolicited advice whenever they see fit to do so, with no sense of boundaries or “reading the room.”
In contrast, past generations often erred on the side of politeness and courtesy, and generally kept their opinions to themselves unless specifically asked for them. Even then, they usually chose tact and diplomacy rather than needlessly saying something that could be upsetting. Essentially, they chose not to voice opinions when there was no need to do so, which is a far cry from the “I said what I said!” crowd nowadays.
4. Sportsmanship.
Previous generations seem to have been much more sportsmanlike when put to the test against skilled opponents. They did the best they could, respected the other team members, and either won with humility or lost with grace. This is a far cry from many in modern generations, who seem to throw tantrums or break items if they lose a match. They only seem interested in the accomplishment, not the process, and expect a gold star just for showing up.
Take video games, for example: it’s commonly accepted that it’s better to cheat at something and thereby gain the advantage over others because “everyone else is doing it.” Essentially, they want cheats so that they can win, either not recognizing or being unwilling to countenance that growth as a person, namely becoming a better and more developed, resilient individual, involves suffering, dedication, potential failure, and a lot of hard work.
5. Modesty.
Many people mistake modesty as being solely about covering up their bodies. In reality, it has more to do with how one conducts themselves. For example, behaving well without boasting about how great they are for doing so.
Recent generations often seem keen to boast about their achievements to anyone who’s willing to listen, rather than behaving with quiet confidence. Their chosen actions seem to be done more for the accolades they’ll win from others than for genuine care or diligence. The next time you’re on social media, take note of how many people ask others to acknowledge how awesome they are for putting on pants that day (or similar). The numbers may surprise you.
6. Having the courage to follow through with their convictions.
Some people have fallen into the very bad habit of behaving badly at a safe distance (usually online), but when confronted in reality with the consequences of their actions, will suddenly be very contrite. They don’t regret their actions, however, nor will they course correct in the future — they just want to escape the consequences of what they’ve said and done.
In the past, people who would pick fights by yelling over their shoulders and then running away would be viewed contemptuously by their peers. In contrast, those who stood up and defended what they believed in, even if it meant they’d literally have to fight tooth and nail for it, were greatly respected.
7. Wide-spectrum capability
In 1973 Robert A. Heinlein wrote: “A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”
Most previous generations had wide-ranging skill sets because all those abilities were needed. People in the past who were accomplished polymaths were highly admired by those around them (e.g., the idea of the “Renaissance Man”). It was considered a mark of great character to be as capable of treating a horse’s injury as they were able to translate Ovid or build a house.
A lot of this changed in the 90s and 2000s, in which specialization was encouraged. The phrase “that’s not in my wheelhouse” became the mantra for those who were loath to do anything outside their area of niche comfort and expertise. Sure, younger generations may be highly skilled in their chosen field, but they don’t have the wealth and breadth of capability that their predecessors cultivated.
8. Resourcefulness.
I recently saw a TikTok video in which a woman gave cash to a 20-something barista to pay for her drink, in an amount that would allow the server to give her one dollar in return. The barista had no idea what to do, asked if the woman in question could use a card instead, and then tearfully called for a manager to help her. Many of us have encountered similar behavior in today’s generation: instead of trying to figure things out on their own, they ask for assistance immediately and give up if the situation is too challenging for them.
This is in stark contrast to previous generations, who weren’t just far more innovative when it came to problem solving, but kept at an issue until they sorted it out. We grew up watching MacGyver repair jets with paperclips and bubble gum, which reflected the creative problem-solving that previous generations embodied.
This may be in part because previous generations interacted with far more things daily than younger folks who spend their days staring at phones, and therefore, we have much more life experience to draw from. Younger generations seem much more risk-averse and prone to asking for help, rather than being resourceful and taking matters into their own hands — sometimes literally.
9. Repairing what’s damaged.
I spent a couple of years working with an old farmer, and his land was a treasure trove of everything he had kept since the 1950s. Granted, there was a lot of useless tat in there, but there were also numerous decent gadgets and pieces of machinery that he repaired or used for parts. Older people saw value in both people and possessions, and didn’t treat them as disposable. They found ways to mend them and keep them going.
Many also recognized that regardless of how you got on with somebody, everyone in the community played a valuable role. Rather than deeming anyone they disagreed with as “toxic,” older generations often saw value in differing opinions, choices, and skill sets. Just because someone thinks or feels differently, that doesn’t mean they’re hateful or wrong.
In contrast, a lot of younger folks nowadays are quick to discard whatever poses a challenge to them, whether it’s an item that isn’t functioning as promised or a relationship that needs work. To them, it seems easier to throw something away and replace it rather than put effort into fixing it.
Final thoughts…
It’s important to acknowledge that these traits aren’t completely absent in anyone born after 1990. While the traits listed here were much more common in past generations, they still pop up in many young people who embody great character and wonderful personalities. It’s also worth noting that the younger generations bring with them many wonderful traits too, which previous generations lacked.
That said, if we encourage younger generations to cultivate a few more of these traits, it’s very possible that they’ll find their way back into everyday life once again. All we can do is lead by example and coax their light to glow more brightly whenever we can.
