A recent editorial painted a bleak picture for 2026 graduates, but one reader disagrees. In a letter to the editor, Bob Munson of Newbury Park argues that despite the challenges they face, today’s graduates have it better than their predecessors.

Munson points out that the 1930s were marked by the Great Depression, when even getting a meal was a struggle, let alone finding a job. The 1940s saw the nation embroiled in war, with over 400,000 American soldiers losing their lives. The 1950s, often maligned by the media, were a time of relative peace and prosperity, with a strong sense of community and values.

In contrast, Munson argues that today’s graduates face fewer existential threats and have more opportunities available to them. He also expresses skepticism about the impact of technology, such as AI and cellphones, on our lives. Munson, who does not own a cellphone, says he gets along just fine without one and agrees with the editorial’s suggestion to turn off our devices.

Original reporting: Thousand Oaks Acorn — read the source article.