re: All things considered, do you think the 1960s were positive for society?

It was just a huge cultural schism that occurred between generations basically. My parents were born in the early 40's and are in a smaller generation just preceding the Baby Boomers. The difference between the two is striking. My parents generation grew up in a very conservative time in the 50's. I was born in 1968 and my experience growing up in the 70's, 80's and 90's was light years away from my parent's experiences in the 50's and early 60's. There is a massive generational gap between my generation and my parent's generation. And the sixties is the reason for that. It was a watershed era and there was a cultural sea change after it. It was a social revolution for sure. That is why you are starting to see marijuana and gay rights legislation gain so much traction now. As a younger generation takes the reins of power, the influences of its childhood dictate the policy of the adult.