Even just a generation or two ago, life could be shockingly violent. Two of my uncles used to help a local farmer deliver his moonshine to the Sun Inn in Bethlehem during Prohibition, and one night they were almost shot dead while driving down a back road. A man in a long coat stepped out in front of their car and cut loose with a shotgun. He damaged the car but not them. As the road consisted of two ruts in the dirt, they couldn't do anything but go straight ahead, and run him over.
When they made their delivery, they found that fortunately the chief of police and much of the local police force was already at the Sun Inn. Along with the mayor and most of the city council. And several scantily-clad ladies of uncertain occupation who fussed over my uncles (who were ages 12 and 14), offering them sympathy over their terrible experience. My uncles were told to stay quiet about it. Their mother did find out, and despite the family needing the money she took them off of the "deliveries". Though my uncle who told me this said she was at least as upset over the women they met as she was over the violence!
Even just a generation or two ago, life could be shockingly violent. Two of my uncles used to help a local farmer deliver his moonshine to the Sun Inn in Bethlehem during Prohibition, and one night they were almost shot dead while driving down a back road. A man in a long coat stepped out in front of their car and cut loose with a shotgun. He damaged the car but not them. As the road consisted of two ruts in the dirt, they couldn't do anything but go straight ahead, and run him over.
When they made their delivery, they found that fortunately the chief of police and much of the local police force was already at the Sun Inn. Along with the mayor and most of the city council. And several scantily-clad ladies of uncertain occupation who fussed over my uncles (who were ages 12 and 14), offering them sympathy over their terrible experience. My uncles were told to stay quiet about it. Their mother did find out, and despite the family needing the money she took them off of the "deliveries". Though my uncle who told me this said she was at least as upset over the women they met as she was over the violence!
Still is, in many places.
For a long time it wasn't, at least not in the First World, but sometimes it looks like we're heading back towards it.
Do not underestimate how much more violent even early modern times were.
To be sure, an increase is bad in itself, but it's not even close to what it was.