In Russia there are some nostalgic memories from the older people, but it's all about education and science, some kind of common dignity (with less personal dignity, probably, but common dignity is important too) and the nation not being openly ruled by thieves, that kind of thing. And total losses in Afghanistan were 15k people, that was a reason for mourning and being terrified, that was talked about everywhere in the news, apparently. While now - you know.

I mean, they remember that kids would just be let out to play, and that they'd go to school and other such places all by themselves. That kids would make knuckles from lead, or make explosive things, or (when in less destructive mood) some kind of perfume and such, radio, all kinds of DIY more often, more serious and more dangerous than now.

They also consider it absolutely basic to accompany your guests to the bus stop or metro station or train station, and only leave when the bus\train leaves, to call your friends regularly and raise panic when they don't answer, to preferably not go out at night, and to never ever say things too open or offensive, because any weirdo at all could hear them, feel offended, follow you and fucking kill you, no cameras everywhere.

And their memories of relative security are not about lower crime anyway, they involve teenage and youth hooligan gangs being literally normal. They would be those who maintained that relative safety. If you were a man, you'd do well to not be outside your district after dark, you could get beaten and robbed just for that.

Judging by what I've read about 80s in the west, all this was kinda similar there. Less depressed probably.