Writer's block

So of course, me being me, I'm doing my independent study history class writing assignment like I should be... and well... I can't seem to figure out why I can't fully understand what one editor is saying about family life between 1880 and 1920... I mean I understand that money wasn't such a big factor during the 1880's, the lack of providing what constituted "necessities of life", like enough clothes, a shelter, enough food (during the 1880s)... but then during the 1920's, what constituted a "necessity" had changed... it's like it was to keep up with the Jones's... like never having flashy, materialistic things was enough.... much like some think today....

anyway... my prediction is that one day everything will collapse, and we'll go back to pre 1900 times, where having materialistic things doesn't mean anything....