I don't wanna beat this topic to death, but I think we can all agree the average '80s teenager feels more nostalgia for their teen years, while Gen Yers born circa 1989 (as well as "cuspers" of both generations, like me ;) ) feel the same for their childhood. For me, it's my under 14 years in particular.

The question is more why. In short, maybe having so many choices of entertainment in the 1982+ years "imprints" us faster.

I think what bugs me at times, isn't so much one person's recollection of their own lives, but it's the tendency sometimes, to put that view toward everyone else. For instance, a 1970 born person automatically thinking a 1981er would like Britney Spears merely because she debuted in 1999 when we were 17-18 (I had this happen ***ALOT*** with teachers or even adult friends I had when I was younger)

I don't wanna beat this topic to death, but I think we can all agree the average '80s teenager feels more nostalgia for their teen years, while Gen Yers born circa 1989 (as well as "cuspers" of both generations, like me ;) ) feel the same for their childhood. For me, it's my under 14 years in particular.

The question is more why. In short, maybe having so many choices of entertainment in the 1982+ years "imprints" us faster.

I think what bugs me at times, isn't so much one person's recollection of their own lives, but it's the tendency sometimes, to put that view toward everyone else. For instance, a 1970 born person automatically thinking a 1981er would like Britney Spears merely because she debuted in 1999 when we were 17-18 (I had this happen ***ALOT*** with teachers or even adult friends I had when I was younger)


As for the Britney Spears thing...the main target audience for her was people born c. 1989, which I was right at the center of.

I think it's sort of a dual thing. People born 1981-1995 (Generation Y) are probably heavily imprinted by their childhood due to that we've been pressured to grow up faster than Generation Xers were, arguably. We're over-pressured into college and our adult sex lives from the time we're 11, which is for me, 2001. However, I do think by the late 2010s alot of people my age will be nostalgic for their "bling bling/emo" teen years back c. 2005.

^Yeah, is it the idea that "being a kid" isn't cool anymore, like it was in the '70s (less pressure to "grow up" etc)? I know, for instance, when I was like 10-13 I was very "anti kid" on many things. Not so much that I wanted to be older, but treated older. By the time I was 18, of course I was kinda p*ssed at myself for not enjoying it as much as I could have though, lol.

It's weird how we miss mundane little things we never think we will. ;) Heck, I even slightly miss 2003 now.

^Yeah, is it the idea that "being a kid" isn't cool anymore, like it was in the '70s (less pressure to "grow up" etc)? I know, for instance, when I was like 10-13 I was very "anti kid" on many things. Not so much that I wanted to be older, but treated older. By the time I was 18, of course I was kinda p*ssed at myself for not enjoying it as much as I could have though, lol.

It's weird how we miss mundane little things we never think we will. ;) Heck, I even slightly miss 2003 now.


Yeah...back in the early '00s, when I was 10-13, I felt very determined not to be a kid anymore and be mature in every way. Part of it was that my life changed alot, with my parents splitting up and my coming out of the closet.

Yeah...back in the early '00s, when I was 10-13, I felt very determined not to be a kid anymore and be mature in every way. Part of it was that my life changed alot, with my parents splitting up and my coming out of the closet.


There's actually alot of similarities there with me, too. My parents "casually separated" for 2 and a half years, when I was 12-14 1/2 (they were still very friendly and talked, etc. but I lived with my mom in that time, and visited dad on the weekends, etc. It wasn't the best time, but I sort of miss it too).

Not to shift the topic too hard, but was coming out a hard thing to do amongst everything else? One of my good friends is also gay, and he says some of his family were reluctant about it at first.

There's actually alot of similarities there with me, too. My parents "casually separated" for 2 and a half years, when I was 12-14 1/2 (they were still very friendly and talked, etc. but I lived with my mom in that time, and visited dad on the weekends, etc. It wasn't the best time, but I sort of miss it too).

Not to shift the topic too hard, but was coming out a hard thing to do amongst everything else? One of my good friends is also gay, and he says some of his family were reluctant about it at first.


I came out in 6th grade, and nobody believed that I was gay, because I'd had a "crush" on a girl the year before. I was in love with my best friend who was out of school with a protracted mental health problem. I didn't tell my mom until the end of 2005, and told my dad in 2002. Overall, I feel like 2000-early 2005 was a "tumultuous" period in my life...alot of stuff happened to me then. Since then, my life and my family problems have started to calm down, and I'm trying to live life for myself now instead of taking care of my ridiculous parents and worrying about them, but it's difficult since I don't really "know how."

I think younger kids are more exposed to pop culture/world events in recent times than they were in say the '70s, so the younger years become more memorable to kids, that's probably why.

I think younger kids are more exposed to pop culture/world events in recent times than they were in say the '70s, so the younger years become more memorable to kids, that's probably why.


Actually, I don't think it's just Gen Yers who feel that way...it's like also late Gen Xers born 1973-1980 who focus alot on their Transformers/Pacman era childhood, though they were also imprinted by their late '80s and '90s teen years.

I came out in 6th grade, and nobody believed that I was gay, because I'd had a "crush" on a girl the year before. I was in love with my best friend who was out of school with a protracted mental health problem. I didn't tell my mom until the end of 2005, and told my dad in 2002. Overall, I feel like 2000-early 2005 was a "tumultuous" period in my life...alot of stuff happened to me then. Since then, my life and my family problems have started to calm down, and I'm trying to live life for myself now instead of taking care of my ridiculous parents and worrying about them, but it's difficult since I don't really "know how."


Good to hear things have looked up since then.

I believe people are born a certain way when it comes to who they like. I liked girls when I was 6, not in the fullest extent, but you know what I mean. No reason a gay person wouldn't be the same - they just might not fully grasp it at first.

Actually, I don't think it's just Gen Yers who feel that way...it's like also late Gen Xers born 1973-1980 who focus alot on their Transformers/Pacman era childhood, though they were also imprinted by their late '80s and '90s teen years.


Yeah, I wonder if it's the general backlash/hatred against Disco/70s fashions that make the average, let's say 1969er hate the '70s (they're old enough to remember the "crappy" side of it too, whereas a 1974er would not, nearly as much).

Yeah, I wonder if it's the general backlash/hatred against Disco/70s fashions that make the average, let's say 1969er hate the '70s (they're old enough to remember the "crappy" side of it too, whereas a 1974er would not, nearly as much).


Yeah. People my age dislike '90s pop culture to a degree-they think Kurt Cobain and to a certain extent artists like Mariah Carey are passe and overrated. But not to the point of discrediting their childhood...though this has softened among Gen Xers considerably. Part of this is that people like myself, born c. 1989, remember the crappy side of '90s pop culture.

I'm a Gen-Xer and I'll tell you right now I'm too busy trying NOT to focus on my 20s...Good riddance, leave all that cr*p behind. Early 30s can take a walk too!
Why do Gen-Xers focus on our "teen" years? 'Cuz were tooootal lose at life, man.

I'm a Gen-Xer and I'll tell you right now I'm too busy trying NOT to focus on my 20s...Good riddance, leave all that cr*p behind. Early 30s can take a walk too!
Why do Gen-Xers focus on our "teen" years? 'Cuz were tooootal lose at life, man.


I hear ya, man. I've had some lousy moments from every period in my life, so I see how you feel.

BTW, I'm certainly not talking about everyone - I'll be the first to acknowledge everyone is an individual. ;) It's just semi-pattern stuff I've sometimes heard over the years from people.

As I said before, since I grew up as a teenager during the 90's, and was a kid during the 80's (with limited exposure of 80's music, until abit later), I indentify myself with Generation Y, then Generation X.

Despite the fact I was born in 1976.

As I said before, since I grew up as a teenager during the 90's, and was a kid during the 80's (with limited exposure of 80's music, until abit later), I indentify myself with Generation Y, then Generation X.

Despite the fact I was born in 1976.


I kinda do, too. Even though my "defining" years are roughly 1987-94, I don't feel disattached to what's around now. I enjoy alot of the tech, and at least some songs. I probably have Gen X tastes, but more of a Gen Y personality, so I see your point on this too.

Plus, I actually think people your age have that "grownup kid" sense to them more than other eras (just from being an actual kid in the '80s). 30 is still very young in overall terms, too.

I kinda do, too. Even though my "defining" years are roughly 1987-94, I don't feel disattached to what's around now. I probably have Gen X tastes, but more of a Gen Y personality, so I see your point on this too.

Plus, in the overall context, I actually think people your age have that "grownup kid" sense to them. 30 is still very young in overall terms, too.


I'm ditto in having more Gen X tastes, but a Gen Y personality (but in a more toned-down, less c. 1989 way, despite being born around then)...most of the music I really like is made 1981-1998 or so, with some stuff going back to about 1967.

I'm a Gen-Xer and I'll tell you right now I'm too busy trying NOT to focus on my 20s...Good riddance, leave all that cr*p behind. Early 30s can take a walk too!
Why do Gen-Xers focus on our "teen" years? 'Cuz were tooootal lose at life, man.


  LMAO!  That's exactly what I was thinking...

I don't wanna beat this topic to death, but I think we can all agree the average '80s teenager feels more nostalgia for their teen years, while Gen Yers born circa 1989 (as well as "cuspers" of both generations, like me ;) ) feel the same for their childhood. For me, it's my under 14 years in particular.

The question is more why. In short, maybe having so many choices of entertainment in the 1982+ years "imprints" us faster.

I think what bugs me at times, isn't so much one person's recollection of their own lives, but it's the tendency sometimes, to put that view toward everyone else. For instance, a 1970 born person automatically thinking a 1981er would like Britney Spears merely because she debuted in 1999 when we were 17-18 (I had this happen ***ALOT*** with teachers or even adult friends I had when I was younger)


What's more annoying, is that Gen Yers will assume for someone born around 1989 that they know nothing about the '90s because they weren't teens until the early '00s.

As I said before, since I grew up as a teenager during the 90's, and was a kid during the 80's (with limited exposure of 80's music, until abit later), I indentify myself with Generation Y, then Generation X.

Despite the fact I was born in 1976.


Is this because you perceive the '90s as being Gen Y because of their similarities to the '00s?

Most of the music I like is made in the '90s and the '00s and generally it's mainstream and popular stuff. Music isn't as good in the '00s, but it isn't as terrible as some people claim.

   LMAO!  That's exactly what I was thinking...

I meant to say we toootallly lose at life, man!

http://www.fu-manchu.com/morbidaj/spicolititle-new.jpg

I woke up to music in the late '90s teen pop era and it's funny at the time people thought a lot of that stuff was so crappy, now look at some of these rappers we got now. I bet a lot of people wish it were the late '90s again.

I'm a Gen-Xer and I'll tell you right now I'm too busy trying NOT to focus on my 20s...Good riddance, leave all that cr*p behind. Early 30s can take a walk too!
Why do Gen-Xers focus on our "teen" years? 'Cuz were tooootal lose at life, man.


hahahaha


As I said before, since I grew up as a teenager during the 90's, and was a kid during the 80's (with limited exposure of 80's music, until abit later), I indentify myself with Generation Y, then Generation X.

Despite the fact I was born in 1976.


You are basically 30 and you identify with Gen. Y? How come? How dare you turn your back on your generation! lol - j/k  ;D

As for the Britney Spears thing...the main target audience for her was people born c. 1989, which I was right at the center of.

I think it's sort of a dual thing. People born 1981-1995 (Generation Y) are probably heavily imprinted by their childhood due to that we've been pressured to grow up faster than Generation Xers were, arguably. We're over-pressured into college and our adult sex lives from the time we're 11, which is for me, 2001. However, I do think by the late 2010s alot of people my age will be nostalgic for their "bling bling/emo" teen years back c. 2005.



Yeah, I think most Yers will be nostalgic for there teen years in the '00s beginning sometime in the late '10s early '20s(or depending on the person perhaps a bit sooner). I'm already a bit nostalgic for 2000 and some of 2001 and the '00s aren't even over yet :D

It seems to me that those who weren't born until 1989 can't say how nostalgic they will be about being a teenager because they are still in their teens.  If you'd asked me at 17 what things I looked back on fondly they would have been things from when I was 8 or 9 I reckon.

I'm yet again with Tanya... I'm a Gen X'er and I relate more to my gen X childhood years. Yes I loved my teenage 90s years at the time but I'm not nostalgic for them.

hahahaha

You are basically 30 and you identify with Gen. Y? How come? How dare you turn your back on your generation! lol - j/k  ;D


I somewhat identify with Gen Y somewhat, but not completely.

I'm yet again with Tanya... I'm a Gen X'er and I relate more to my gen X childhood years. Yes I loved my teenage 90s years at the time but I'm not nostalgic for them.


Whoohoo. lol - during my high school years (90-94 jeez time flew!) I had so much uncertainity that I don't dare venture back to how I felt.

It's because Y'ers grew up faster than X'ers. X'ers got a chance to be "kids" well into there teens, they didn't have the same pressure to fit in, make it to good college etc. The Y'ers world is more ultra competitive and stressful, and that was already starting at 13-14 for a Y'er

in general less were expected of them.

It's because Y'ers grew up faster than X'ers. X'ers got a chance to be "kids" well into there teens, they didn't have the same pressure to fit in, make it to good college etc. The Y'ers world is more ultra competitive and stressful, and that was already starting at 13-14 for a Y'er

in general less were expected of them.


Yeah....Yers are expected from the time they're 13 (particularly if they're in the upper half of the income range) to succeed in life, when they're like 40. From Xers born in the '60s and '70s who I've talked to, there was less pressure about this...you just went to high school and went to college, and I think this will be patterned in the experiences of Generation Z. It really mimics how baby boomers see their Y children as achievements and not as people.

The thing is, everyone wants a piece of the '80s - even the kids who weren't even born in the decade...  ;D

I'll go with what someone else said last page--the Gen Y'ers haven't been teenagers long enough/are still fairly young, so we're more prone to focusing on our childhoods. I'm fairly young, but I won't be looking at my teen years with any fondness, save my junior and senior years of high school--and even then, they weren't much to write home about. ;D

I don't wanna beat this topic to death, but I think we can all agree the average '80s teenager feels more nostalgia for their teen years, while Gen Yers born circa 1989 (as well as "cuspers" of both generations, like me ;) ) feel the same for their childhood. For me, it's my under 14 years in particular.


I don't mean to get too simplistic in the analysis but...if someone was a teen in the 80s, they were born around 1970.  That means they're now in their mid-30s.  Then you have a person born in 1989...now 17 years old.  Well, a 17 year old wouldn't be nostalgic for their teens since they're not even out of the teens yet.  While a 30-something would be nostalgic for their teens because it's a time that feels far enough away (and life is now changed enough due to their years and changed responsibilities) and a time that is clearly out of reach.  I think, at any time in any year, a 30 year old would be nostalgic for their teen years and a 17 year old would be nostalgic for childhood.

There might be other factors.  But I think this is clearly one of them.

I don't really have "nostalgia" period. 

Sure, I miss being a kid, but its more just because I was a kid.  It really has nothing to do with the pop culture of that time.


What REALLY bugs me is how Baby Boomers and older Gen Xers like to make the assumption that because the 2000s are my teenage years, that this is the time period my identity is tied to.  It is, to a certain extent.  But I also feel a connection to the 90s, and some of them seem determined not to buy it.  I think its because my generation has grown up faster.  We were expected to start dating and fooling around at earlier ages(at least via peer pressure), we were expected to start worrying about college at a younger age, etc.


Anyway, I'd like to point out to everyone TWO things shape your world view.  Theres the pop culture of "your time", and then theres the politics/current events of "your time".  In my case I'm unusual because at the age of 14, in 2002, I basically stopped paying attention to the pop culture of my generation.  Now, 4 years later, I am only vaguely more familiar with whats "in" with today's youth than a person who is 38 or 48.  I could NOT tell you what the hit songs right now are.  I'm 100% serious.  I don't listen to radio or watch Mtv.  And actually, outside of talking to people like Donnie, Beth, James, Andrew, Dominic etc. on these boards I don't have any interaction with people my age.  And a lot of the kids here are more like me anyway.  They don't tend to be super trendy here.

I don't mean to get too simplistic in the analysis but...if someone was a teen in the 80s, they were born around 1970.  That means they're now in their mid-30s.  Then you have a person born in 1989...now 17 years old.  Well, a 17 year old wouldn't be nostalgic for their teens since they're not even out of the teens yet.  While a 30-something would be nostalgic for their teens because it's a time that feels far enough away (and life is now changed enough due to their years and changed responsibilities) and a time that is clearly out of reach.  I think, at any time in any year, a 30 year old would be nostalgic for their teen years and a 17 year old would be nostalgic for childhood.

There might be other factors.  But I think this is clearly one of them.


Good point. I'm 30 this year ( :o it hurts to say that) and while I hated many experiences throughout my teens, I would give anything to be 14 again (but back in my day, 1990).

Good point. I'm 30 this year ( :o it hurts to say that) and while I hated many experiences throughout my teens, I would give anything to be 14 again (but back in my day, 1990).


I wouldn't.  I'm probably the only person in the world who looks back on their adolescent years with scorn. However my 20s go, they can't be any worse than my teens have been.

Now, I wouldn't mind going back to before I was 11 or so.  Things REALLY went downhill for me after 13.  I just didn't adjust to adolescence.  I never did get the hang of it.  I never could get independent, I didn't hold a job in high school, didn't go out and date and do all those other things teens usually do.  So now in my young adulthood I'm in this akward position where I never REALLY went through true formative years, I'm just kind of trying to skip from kid to being out in the world, and it sucks.  I wish I'd put myself out there more and not let life pass me by.. I think I missed the boat on coming into my own socially and independently, and I'm paying for it now by trying to play catch-up, and people don't have much patience for me because of it- and I just end up getting further behind.  I was basically rejected at my local college and not able to make friends for this reason.

[quote author=

I'm afraid I don't understand.

I was talking past tense, not now.  I was talking about my adolescent years(11 to 17).  I'm 18 and a year out of high school now. I'm in what I'd call my young adult years(18-24). 


I already wasted my adolescence.

Now I'm trying to catch up but its extremely difficult. 

[quote author=

I was saying that you shouldn't focus on catching up b/c you can't. What's past is past. Live and find things for now to enjoy. You are 18 - don't age yourself too soon.  :)


I guess my youth escapes me at times.  I don't really kick around with people my age.

I don't mean to get too simplistic in the analysis but...if someone was a teen in the 80s, they were born around 1970.  That means they're now in their mid-30s.  Then you have a person born in 1989...now 17 years old.  Well, a 17 year old wouldn't be nostalgic for their teens since they're not even out of the teens yet.  While a 30-something would be nostalgic for their teens because it's a time that feels far enough away (and life is now changed enough due to their years and changed responsibilities) and a time that is clearly out of reach.  I think, at any time in any year, a 30 year old would be nostalgic for their teen years and a 17 year old would be nostalgic for childhood.

There might be other factors.  But I think this is clearly one of them.


True. ;) I agree we do tend to like things more once they are "the past" - heck, I even miss 2003 a little bit. I actually do like some things from now, but in the 1999+ years (or age 17 to my now current 24), I have a "mild liking" of it, if you know what I mean. It's just not the absolute defining experiences, music, etc. that I loved when I was 6 or when I was 11 etc.

I suppose my original point was more along the lines that what tends to define a 1980's teen occured more when they were about 16 (though I could never blame them for liking c. 1984 pop culture - that's the best stuff! 8) ), whereas nowadays, it's not unusual for a 16 year old to say something like "Dude I played that N64 game when I was 7!" To which I totally understand, 'cause when I was 16 in 1997-98 I said the exact same thing about Super Nintendo and VH1 in 1991.

[quote author=

I was saying that you shouldn't focus on catching up b/c you can't. What's past is past. Live and find things for now to enjoy. You are 18 - don't age yourself too soon.  :)


This is good advice.  You can't regain something lost.  But you can make the most of what you have now.  You're just beginning your "young adulthood" and that can be a fabulous time.  I had some really tough times in my young adulthood.  Can't relive it.  But I can do 40-something pretty good.

Mix it up a bit. It's cool to hang with others older, but it's also best to have a crew that even on the shallow side you can connect with due to age.


That's actually a good point. :)

In the present day, I'm a little ticked off at my past self for shunning "kid" experiences so much when I was around 9-13 or 14, including not having as many peer friends as I could have. I tended to bond with older people around then - I wanted to be treated older.

But I would tell myself (if I had a time machine! ;) ) that you can do both. Hanging around more kids doesn't mean you can't dig "older" stuff as well.

I dunno I just can't get along and make friends with kids my age, its weird..

Older people are kinder and more patient.

[quote author=

Is this because you perceive the '90s as being Gen Y because of their similarities to the '00s?


Not really, all though, there a few similtaries with the late 00's.

Some of us are.


I find as a general rule they are... Boomers anyway. 

[quote author=

Really? I dislike the majority of Xers.  I see them as immature for their age usually, selfish, apathetic, materialistic, and I don't think they're good parents on the whole.  I'm glad to have been a Boomer's kid and not an Xer's kid.

sheesh.. I feel like I shoulda been a Boomer.  No offense or anything James but I've got a feeling what you say about the Boomers is based on your 'rents.. and I think they're hardly representitive of the average boomers.  I mean crap, your dads a corporate lawyer.  Thats very yuppie you know.. so I can see why you've ended up with that impression of Boomers, especially with our President as an example to look at.

[quote author=

[quote author=

I don't wanna beat this topic to death, but I think we can all agree the average '80s teenager feels more nostalgia for their teen years, while Gen Yers born circa 1989 (as well as "cuspers" of both generations, like me ;) ) feel the same for their childhood. For me, it's my under 14 years in particular.

The question is more why. In short, maybe having so many choices of entertainment in the 1982+ years "imprints" us faster.

I think what bugs me at times, isn't so much one person's recollection of their own lives, but it's the tendency sometimes, to put that view toward everyone else. For instance, a 1970 born person automatically thinking a 1981er would like Britney Spears merely because she debuted in 1999 when we were 17-18 (I had this happen ***ALOT*** with teachers or even adult friends I had when I was younger)


I'm nearly 31 and I tend to look back with fond nostalgia on the 80s, which is mostly my childhood.  I don't dwell on the early 90s as much.  Ofcourse I'm not one of the "main" Gen Xer people you might be talking about, i.e. born around 1968-'71. 

I'm nearly 31 and I tend to look back with fond nostalgia on the 80s, which is mostly my childhood.  I don't dwell on the early 90s as much.  Ofcourse I'm not one of the "main" Gen Xer people you might be talking about, i.e. born around 1968-'71. 


Hey man, how've you been? Haven't seen you around the board in awhile.

Yes, I've always considered people around your age to be like slightly older siblings/friends. Much like me, your guys' most formative years (personally as well as pop culturally) came about in the '80s, but it didn't hit so hard that you couldn't get into the '90s (I recall you've said this about yourself, too). When I was about 7, one of the kids I went to school with - his older brother used to babysit me sometimes. Even though he was about 13 or 14, I remember we got along really well, I don't think he thought I was some pestering little kid or anything. But on the other side, when I got to, say Jr High and could have totally different experiences from kids even just two years younger than me, that was weird (although that's not true of everybody, it was still bizarre, but I've grown used to it now).

Even though I'm going on 25 this year, I still like a decent amount of songs on the radio, or the overall atmoshere. No, it's not 1990 so I'm not gonna compare it to that (otherwise I wouldn't be able to like anything!), but it's like: Hey, this is familar enough, it's kinda cool and I don't hate it or anything.

Yeah, this is a big generalization, but personally, I do believe the Brat Pack era are more "tied down" to the '80s. Especially things that prevailed when they were around 16. I think that gives Gen X a bad rap though. It's not like everyone born in 1969 pretends that this is still 1985 and dresses Miami Vice while talking like a surfer dude/Valley Girl all day. ;) The ones that are like that seem to "set the standard" though, if you know what I mean.

Hey man, how've you been? Haven't seen you around the board in awhile.

Yes, I've always considered people around your age to be like slightly older siblings/friends. Much like me, your guys' most formative years (personally as well as pop culturally) came about in the '80s, but it didn't hit so hard that you couldn't get into the '90s (I recall you've said this about yourself, too). When I was about 7, one of the kids I went to school with - his older brother used to babysit me sometimes. Even though he was about 13 or 14, I remember we got along really well, I don't think he thought I was some pestering little kid or anything. But on the other side, when I got to, say Jr High and could have totally different experiences from kids even just two years younger than me, that was weird (although that's not true of everybody, it was still bizarre, but I've grown used to it now).

Even though I'm going on 25 this year, I still like a decent amount of songs on the radio, or the overall atmoshere. No, it's not 1990 so I'm not gonna compare it to that (otherwise I wouldn't be able to like anything!), but it's like: Hey, this is familar enough, it's kinda cool and I don't hate it or anything.

Yeah, this is a big generalization, but personally, I do believe the Brat Pack era are more "tied down" to the '80s. Especially things that prevailed when they were around 16. I think that gives Gen X a bad rap though. It's not like everyone born in 1969 pretends that this is still 1985 and dresses Miami Vice while talking like a surfer dude/Valley Girl all day. ;) The ones that are like that seem to "set the standard" though, if you know what I mean.


I've known some people born around 1969...they do tend to be the people who cling to the '80s the most, like people born 1967-1972 or so. Even then, though there are some people born around 1969 who  seem to have gotten into the late '80s and the '90s in college and "de-'80sified." Like my English teacher is born in 1967 or thereabouts, was really into new wave (ABC, Spandau Ballet, The Thompson Twins, The Smiths, The Cure, XTC, Squeeze, Elvis Costello) in high school, and then got into stuff like Pavement, the Replacements, Beck, etc. as a young adult. People born about 1973-1975, who came of age c. 1990, seem to be the "transitional people" between the '80s and '90s...they're usually that way in the decades, people born up to the '3 year. Typically, the '0 year seems to be a total holdover of the previous decade (for example, 1990ers like myself are very like people born in the late '80s, and 1980ers are very like people born in the late '70s), for example.

I'm sort of similar in considering people born around 1981-1983 to be "older", but still close enough to relate to as the early part of my generation...

I think the answer is kinda simple if you take the categorizing out of your question....

If you look at the way fashion trends come and go, you will find that most fashions repeat themselves two decades later (to an extent)..  you probably noticed bell bottoms/flare leg pants resurfaced in the 90's... and now in the 2000's you see more 80's inspired stuff.  Jordache just came out with "skinny jeans" to look exactly like the original 80's designer jeans.

It probably doesn't have to do with Gen X-ers vs. Gen Y-ers at all, but simply that people are nostalgic for roughly 20 years in the past.  Which means I was 14 and you were 5. 

That's my theory.

I dunno I just can't get along and make friends with kids my age, its weird..

Older people are kinder and more patient.


You might find that this can still change. I was not exactly treated well in high school and I disliked my own age group immensely... But then I went on to university and met some of the greatest people I could possibly know. I didn't make real, close, lasting friends with people my own age until a couple years after high school, in other words.

There are going to be good people from any age group, even if it takes some digging. ;)

Most Gen Y'ers are still too young to be reflecting on their teenage years. Give it time.

I think the answer is kinda simple if you take the categorizing out of your question....

If you look at the way fashion trends come and go, you will find that most fashions repeat themselves two decades later (to an extent)..  you probably noticed bell bottoms/flare leg pants resurfaced in the 90's... and now in the 2000's you see more 80's inspired stuff.  Jordache just came out with "skinny jeans" to look exactly like the original 80's designer jeans.

It probably doesn't have to do with Gen X-ers vs. Gen Y-ers at all, but simply that people are nostalgic for roughly 20 years in the past.   Which means I was 14 and you were 5. 

That's my theory.


Good points, I never quite thought of it that way. I guess when something begins to become retrocool, it kinda gets everyone back into it, and the people who didn't live through it, get into it for the first time.

Let me say, in the general sense, one thing that really drives home my point is how they word many typical radio station ads for '80s parties at some club, or for an all '80s music weekend (btw, I love when Mix 106.5 used to do those! :D ), etc. It tends to go something like, "Get ready to relive your high school years". I swear I've heard that tons of times over the years, and it always struck me as having two things...

1. The only people who will really like all of this are people who were around 16 in 1983 or in 1986.
2. People who are in that age group are still permanently stuck back there and dress like Madonna Wannabe's.

Those are very overbiased generaliztions for both ends. But, there must be at least some truth in it, or the ones who are like that pave the way for the others. I see that as being -- just as an example -- kinda the way some people get negative impressions of teenagers and believe they all smoke, drive like maniacs and are rude punks looking for trouble. Of course all teens certainly aren't all like that, but those who are seem to automatically define the whole group. Actually, many things in the world work like that, which is kinda sad.

^ P.S. Didn't mean to sound bitter, it's just an observation, lol. ;)

It's because 90s culture was alot more focused - or at least accommodating - of children and pre-teen. You had Disney (which really expanded in the 90s to include many TV Movie spinoffs, Duck Tales.etc), whereas the 80s were perhaps a more teen-focused decade. I sort of see the focus shift back to the 12-17 or even 11-20 demographic as the 2000s progresses - 90s culture was targeted more at young 20s (the teens of the 80s), and under 13s - leaving a gap filled by the teenagers who watched Clueless, and 'De Grassi Junior High.' It's only a theory, what do you think?

It's because 90s culture was alot more focused - or at least accommodating - of children and pre-teen. You had Disney (which really expanded in the 90s to include many TV Movie spinoffs, Duck Tales.etc), whereas the 80s were perhaps a more teen-focused decade. I sort of see the focus shift back to the 12-17 or even 11-20 demographic as the 2000s progresses - 90s culture was targeted more at young 20s (the teens of the 80s), and under 13s - leaving a gap filled by the teenagers who watched Clueless, and 'De Grassi Junior High.' It's only a theory, what do you think?


I would say that the 90s were geared toward those 18 and over as well as under 13. Yeah, particularly in the mid 1990s there wasn't much middle ground. 'Tis a shame to have been part of that group I would say to someone.

Hey man, how've you been? Haven't seen you around the board in awhile.

Yes, I've always considered people around your age to be like slightly older siblings/friends. Much like me, your guys' most formative years (personally as well as pop culturally) came about in the '80s, but it didn't hit so hard that you couldn't get into the '90s (I recall you've said this about yourself, too). When I was about 7, one of the kids I went to school with - his older brother used to babysit me sometimes. Even though he was about 13 or 14, I remember we got along really well, I don't think he thought I was some pestering little kid or anything. But on the other side, when I got to, say Jr High and could have totally different experiences from kids even just two years younger than me, that was weird (although that's not true of everybody, it was still bizarre, but I've grown used to it now).

Even though I'm going on 25 this year, I still like a decent amount of songs on the radio, or the overall atmoshere. No, it's not 1990 so I'm not gonna compare it to that (otherwise I wouldn't be able to like anything!), but it's like: Hey, this is familar enough, it's kinda cool and I don't hate it or anything.

Yeah, this is a big generalization, but personally, I do believe the Brat Pack era are more "tied down" to the '80s. Especially things that prevailed when they were around 16. I think that gives Gen X a bad rap though. It's not like everyone born in 1969 pretends that this is still 1985 and dresses Miami Vice while talking like a surfer dude/Valley Girl all day. ;) The ones that are like that seem to "set the standard" though, if you know what I mean.


I'm doing good.  I've just been busy with other things, so I haven't had the time to hang out around the boards like I used to.  Nice to see familiar old faces.  I see we got some new people too.  :)

By the way, since age, getting older and "time" are constant points of discussion around these parts, I guess I'd share that I'm officially "over 30" now.  As in, not even 30 anymore, but actually older then that now.  I just turned 31 today (July 3rd).  Strangely, my name never pops up on the birthday calender here, and I've been a member for so long too.   :(

You know what my little b-day tradition is? To watch one of my favorite movies, Jaws.  It sorta developed because the TV stations would air it every year around this time.  It's a great 4th of July movie, and it was the summer blockbuster that was out in 1975.  I get a kick out of watching the big movie from the year I was born.   I bet even when I'm 80 I'll stil be watching Jaws on my birthday.  And as long as I live in the USA, I always get fireworks and a big celebration.  ;)  

It's because 90s culture was alot more focused - or at least accommodating - of children and pre-teen. You had Disney (which really expanded in the 90s to include many TV Movie spinoffs, Duck Tales.etc), whereas the 80s were perhaps a more teen-focused decade. I sort of see the focus shift back to the 12-17 or even 11-20 demographic as the 2000s progresses - 90s culture was targeted more at young 20s (the teens of the 80s), and under 13s - leaving a gap filled by the teenagers who watched Clueless, and 'De Grassi Junior High.' It's only a theory, what do you think?


Yeah, alot of that culture like Reality Bites seems to have been targeted at people born before 1976, and the culture of Disney movies and such was targeted at people born about 1981 or 1982 and after. So, in the middle you had people born 1976-1980 or so...the Clueless generation of people born towards the end of the Nixon-Ford era and under Carter.

I do think most of the people you catch dressing like that, who are still Miami Vice wannabes and Madonna clones or still act like Whitesnake is a hot group, are born about 1966-1972, within three years or so of 1969. I do know some people born c. 1969, though, and I think they're usually a little more subtle about it...like one of my dad's good friends is born in 1969 and still dresses in sort of a neo-'80s punk way (she liked XTC and Adam and the Ants and Tears for Fears back in the '80s) and listens to the music and goes to "'80s nights", but she's not feathering her hair still, LOL. As for '70s clones...you tend to see alot of people like that born a couple of years from 1958 or 1959. Most of the parents of the kids in my class are born within a few years of that, and if you ever go to back to school night...well, you see alot of hilariously outdated '70s hairstyles and facial hairstyles ( ;)) on the guys who didn't have to get rid of it for work.

This may have been answered, I didn't read the whole thread, but one thing that stuck out to me about people that graduated high school in the 80s was that they despsied the 1970s a lot more then any other group.  So 80s high school graduates don't want to talk about the 70s, i.e. their childhood and/or early-teen years, because they tend to be embarrased by it.  Someone born in 1965 usually does not identify with the 70s, they prefer the 80s.  This is in stark contrast with us 1975ers, who usually long for the 80s over the 90s.  But the 90s were cool too, it certainly wasn't crap, it just wasn't the magic of the 80s.

This may have been answered, I didn't read the whole thread, but one thing that stuck out to me about people that graduated high school in the 80s was that they despsied the 1970s a lot more then any other group.  So 80s high school graduates don't want to talk about the 70s, i.e. their childhood and/or early-teen years, because they tend to be embarrased by it.  Someone born in 1965 usually does not identify with the 70s, they prefer the 80s.  This is in stark contrast with us 1975ers, who usually long for the 80s over the 90s.  But the 90s were cool too, it certainly wasn't crap, it just wasn't the magic of the 80s.


Yeah...I've talked to some people born 1973-1975 like yourself, who while graduating high school in the '90s, were never "'90s people." This is similar to people born about 1983-1985; though they spent a good portion of their teen years in the '00s, they're still "'90s people."

And the odd thing is that we weren't even old enough to drive or do a whole lot in the 80s.  Hell, I don't even remember the early 80s that well.   That decade was childhood and early teen life, but I get more nostalgic for it then the 90s.  But I've always liked the 90s, just in a different way.

You were born in 1990?  Haha, I'm technically old enough to be your father.  In a technical sense, I have met a couple of people my age that had kids when they were 14 or 15.  I can be the father of anyone born as far back as 1987 (age 12) I think, whenever puberty hit me.  Maybe even '86.  

And the odd thing is that we weren't even old enough to drive or do a whole lot in the 80s.  Hell, I don't even remember the early 80s that well.   That decade was childhood and early teen life, but I get more nostalgic for it then the 90s.  But I've always liked the 90s, just in a different way.

You were born in 1990?  Haha, I'm technically old enough to be your father.  In a technical sense, I have met a couple of people my age that had kids when they were 14 or 15.  I can be the father of anyone born as far back as 1987 (age 12) I think, whenever puberty hit me.  Maybe even '86.  


hahaha I could be his mom if we hooked up!

hahaha I could be his mom if we hooked up!


Hmm...I could be the father of anyone born from 2003 on, if I liked girls. Theoretically, my parents could've been from like, 1969.

Hmm...I could be the father of anyone born from 2003 on, if I liked girls. Theoretically, my parents could've been from like, 1969.


true

Hmm...I could be the father of anyone born from 2003 on, if I liked girls. Theoretically, my parents could've been from like, 1969.


I could have fathered a child born in 1999... ;D

I could have fathered a child born in 1999... ;D


You know what's scary and I just realized it reading the last few posts? Starting about now, I could technically be a grandpa. ;D After I hit puberty in 1993 at 11 and a half or so, plus nine months, then again that kid could have done the same around the mid '00s.

Yeah...I've talked to some people born 1973-1975 like yourself, who while graduating high school in the '90s, were never "'90s people." This is similar to people born about 1983-1985; though they spent a good portion of their teen years in the '00s, they're still "'90s people."

Yeah, like I'm not really a "Y2K" person, despite graduating in 2000. Well actually, I kinda take that back, I'm a "mild 00s person" if that makes sense - i.e. I like a decent amount of songs and overall pop culture. I still consider it "my time" in the basic sense and don't dislike it, but it's sure not the "defining/formative" part of my life the way 1986-1994/95 is.

I'm doing good.  I've just been busy with other things, so I haven't had the time to hang out around the boards like I used to.  Nice to see familiar old faces.  I see we got some new people too.  :)

By the way, since age, getting older and "time" are constant points of discussion around these parts, I guess I'd share that I'm officially "over 30" now.  As in, not even 30 anymore, but actually older then that now.  I just turned 31 today (July 3rd).  Strangely, my name never pops up on the birthday calender here, and I've been a member for so long too.   :(

You know what my little b-day tradition is? To watch one of my favorite movies, Jaws.  It sorta developed because the TV stations would air it every year around this time.  It's a great 4th of July movie, and it was the summer blockbuster that was out in 1975.  I get a kick out of watching the big movie from the year I was born.   I bet even when I'm 80 I'll stil be watching Jaws on my birthday.  And as long as I live in the USA, I always get fireworks and a big celebration.  ;)  

Yeah, that's a good movie - haven't watched it in awhile now, but it never lost its appeal to me over time either (although I am glad it's just a movie!). I even tend to remember the "spinoffs" (i.e. at the end of Huey Lewis' music video for "This Is It" when the shark heads for the last group of people on the beach).

Happy (belated) birthday, btw. :)

I know it's late but happy birthday all the same. I love the idea of Jaws as a birthday tradition... that's some 70s retro cool now.

Yeah, like I'm not really a "Y2K" person, despite graduating in 2000. Well actually, I kinda take that back, I'm a "mild 00s person" if that makes sense - i.e. I like a decent amount of songs and overall pop culture. I still consider it "my time" in the basic sense and don't dislike it, but it's sure not the "defining/formative" part of my life the way 1986-1994/95 is.


Hmm...I'm not really defined much by any of the pop culture that happened while I was into pop culture (alot of it happened during periods I could remember well, but I wasn't aware of it.) Most of the music I like was made from 1978-1998, with some music like Joni Mitchell, The VU/Lou Reed, and Laura Nyro made before that. I have met some people born around 1982 for whom the mid-late '90s sort of did define them, though.

You know what's scary and I just realized it reading the last few posts? Starting about now, I could technically be a grandpa. ;D After I hit puberty in 1993 at 11 and a half or so, plus nine months, then again that kid could have done the same around the mid '00s.


Ahh, this is funny stuff.. yeah, technically, I could have been a mother at 12 years old, back in 1994... yet, that thought totally disgusts me at the moment  ;D

This is a really interesting thread. I am new to this board, so hello to all! :) I am a Gen-Xer, born in 1968, but I can't say that I hate the 70's  or Disco. I will admit that I am a bit more nostalgic for my 80's teen years, but that is mostly due to some crappy childhood memories. I still have fond memories of the 70's, but to me personally, the 80's represented freedom, if you will. That may be a simplistic way to put it, but it is what comes to mind off the bat. It was just a special time in my life.

My idea on reflecting on your "teen" years..can only happen when any of your teen years were (insert number)TEEN years AGO. Mathematically, that can only happen between the ages of 26 and 38..I am not saying a 23-year-old may not feel a pang of nostalgia for being 13 when he/she is drudging at a McJob for 12 hours a day..or that suddenly the teens should be forgotten when one hits age 40..but..those from  late 20s to late 30s are most nostalgic about their teens because those are the core adult working years.. too young to retire/live the middle age life but now too old to complain about adult responsibilities and revert to adolescence (at 21 it might be possible..not at 30). The coincidence..right now, that age range in 2006 roughly corresponds with "generation X"..so Gen Xers are reflecting on the teen years. In a few years, when true core members of generation Y start to push 30, then that leading edge of gen Y will really start to feel the teen nostalgia. Right now, the core and younger Yers are either still teens or barely out of them..how can you truly feel nostalgic for something only 4 years ago? Just my two cents..

p.s. I am a 29 year old (just months from 30) late Xer who definitely misses the late 80s and early 90s right now lol

Ahh, this is funny stuff.. yeah, technically, I could have been a mother at 12 years old, back in 1994... yet, that thought totally disgusts me at the moment  ;D


Well I went to h.s. with a few girls who had babies at 14, 15..so they are my age (29-30)and parents of teens. I know a few still personally. Odd to think that those "babies" are now almost the age that their mothers were when they were born, when I was in h.s. I still am in disbelief that I started high school 15 years ago this month. I feel justa  little old..not a lot.

Well I went to h.s. with a few girls who had babies at 14, 15..so they are my age (29-30)and parents of teens. I know a few still personally. Odd to think that those "babies" are now almost the age that their mothers were when they were born, when I was in h.s. I still am in disbelief that I started high school 15 years ago this month. I feel justa  little old..not a lot.


Yes, I knew girls who were doing that, too. I just could never think of that happening to myself at that age - even if I was capable of having a baby at 12, I wasn't ready for much else  ;D

Yeah, strange thought you started H.S. 15 years ago this month, as I started H.S. 10 years ago this month.. but probably even weirder for my mother to think of it as 30 years ago for herself  ;D

I really think the GenX vs. GenY thing is media hoopla. I can see some similarities with others my age (born in '75), but I also see a lot of differences. My parents were very no nonsense  and grew up in the late 50s/early 60s. The differences between my upbringing and that of my peers who had hippie/flowerchildren parents of the late 60s/early 70s were very apparent. I really came into my own in my 20s. My teen years were by far not the best of my life, and I have never focused on that. I date some one who was born in '81, and I find he doesn't fit the steroetype at all. Besides, any true punk rock fan knows Generation X was Billy Idol's first band!

p.s. I am a 29 year old (just months from 30) late Xer who definitely misses the late 80s and early 90s right now lol


I'm weeks from my 30th and feel the same way.

I really think the GenX vs. GenY thing is media hoopla. I can see some similarities with others my age (born in '75), but I also see a lot of differences. My parents were very no nonsense  and grew up in the late 50s/early 60s. The differences between my upbringing and that of my peers who had hippie/flowerchildren parents of the late 60s/early 70s were very apparent. I really came into my own in my 20s. My teen years were by far not the best of my life, and I have never focused on that. I date some one who was born in '81, and I find he doesn't fit the steroetype at all. Besides, any true punk rock fan knows Generation X was Billy Idol's first band!


Your parents are quite young. My mom and dad have a generation gap, but it never mattered to me. They were just both "old" lol. My father was a WWII generation born in 1943 and my mom a boomer born in 1957..He was 32 and she 18 when they married and she was just shy of 20 and he 34 when I was born. They have some very different tastes as you can imagine with music, hobbies, etc..but also a lot of similarities. Obviously, in 1960 or so their generation gap was pretty evident but years later maybe not so much. Perhaps in 25-30 years, when the generation Z babies of today are adults, they weill probably just lump generations X and Y together as "old 20th century people" or something like that..I can see my daughter doing this to me when she is 21..harrassing me about being an old-fogie stuck in 19whatever.

My parents were born in 38 and 44 respectively. They were teens in th elate 50s early 60s. I am actually really glad they had that hardnosed 50s kind of attitude. My best friend says my house was like Leave It to Beaver is you replaced Ward with Red Foreman from That 70s Show. Most of my friends who had very easygoing hippie parents ended up marrying young and having a bunch of kids whereas the few friends I have with older paretns persued educations and careers. I wonder if that's a coincidence.