I think conservatives by their very nature resist any change which is how successful societies progress. When I was in school, I thought when my generation grew up, religious and sexual suppression would be things of the past. Now I find most of these friends have changed and the root of it seems to be a longing to be back in the good old days. It's not that those days were ideal - I think that they figure if they turned back the clock or resisted the change, they wouldn't feel so out of place.