@CarlataOld @jilleduffy There are lots of reasons. Cars open more of the world to us. The internet allows us to communicate with billions of people that we otherwise couldn't.
But probably the biggest reason is that back in the day, an entire family could be supported on one 40-hour salary. Now both parents have to work, sometimes multiple jobs, just to make ends meet. And schools are more demanding of time (especially when you factor in sports). I could probably list a dozen more reasons.