Yes, children are incredibly resilient. We just assumed it was a normal part of life. Now that I think about it, the end of the Cold War might be one of the causes of the great crime wave drop in the early 90s. Maybe when you don't think you're going to die randomly at any second, statically, society makes better decisions.
Interesting, I'd never considered that. I have read that the drop in crime was partially attributed to removal of the lead in gasoline. I expect there are many factors.
Yes, that is a highly probably one. Also I've read the legalization of abortion in the early 70s as well. All the unwanted and uncared for babies would be teens and young adults (highest crime age) by the 90s didn't exist.
