Well, depends on what your criteria are, to talk about comparing the ‘50s to today.
Crime rates were lower.
Students learned lessons in school.
Society was more structured around family life.
Bizarre behaviors were not celebrated and mainstreamed.
Many middle class families could buy a house and do well financially on one paycheck.
Those without a college degree could still get into a job or career field and earn a good living.
On the other hand, there were negatives about the old days too.
Pollution was far worse then than now.
Minorities and women didn’t have the opportunities they have now.
Modern medicine can cure or help provide longer and better quality of life for many ailments. Many such medicines and surgeries possible today didn’t exist in the ‘50s.
In those days, larger families tended to be in houses with one bathroom, as others here have noted.
Technology we take for granted, such as cellular phones and the internet, simply didn’t exist yet.
I’m sure others can come up with many many more items.
But, just saying, to talk about the ‘50s or other periods of time, and compare to today, it all depends on your criteria and point of reference as to whether life today is better or worse.
You left out one really big negative: most houses didn’t have air conditioners. Of course you’re in San Diego so you never noticed.
“I’m sure others can come up with many many more items.”
Air conditioning.