I think you have to try and distinguish between a *Living* Tradition as opposed to a merely *historical* tradition.

Many of these songs are of their time and reflect the attitudes them while others are as equally relevant today as are newer songs which are composed in the traditional idiom.

I don't have any objection to people singing songs which have an outdated or even offensive content as long as it is made clear by the performer(s) that the song represents a snap shot in time and is not a blue print for the future and doesn't represent current. Also, it can be good to be challenged and also to realise how mmuch things have improved (if that's your view) since then.