Why were the 90s so great?

[Anonymous]

All of my friends and I look back fondly on the 1990s. It seemed like the height of truly functional society and definitely the last great decade to be a kid. The biggest political scandal involved a BJ, not an insurrection, and IMO children had the perfect balance of technology and analog, live outdoor playtime. People seemed so much less uptight. Life was good. Music was good too, and movies. Is this just rose colored childhood nostalgia or were the 90s actually the best time in America? (Not for other countries of course, especially Eastern Europe)

[Anonymous]

I think the 70s, 80s and 90s could be lumped together that way. It was a bit of a lull. I’m grateful for it, but it makes me sad to compare my childhood to that of my kids. I think our current chaos is more the norm, historically speaking.

[Anonymous]

As someone who grew up mainly in the 90s I disagree. My parents were worried by the media sensationalism around kidnappings and I wasn’t allowed to go places on my own as a kid. It was the beginning of the political extremism we see today, women and girls were still marginalized, put down and even assaulted without any consequences. I was repeatedly put down by teachers (mostly male but not all) for being smart and outspoken. I was bullied by other students and no one did anything about it. I developed an eating disorder (very common throughout that decade) and no one did anything about it. I was sexually assaulted twice and no one did anything about it.
And I was an umc white girl with parents who stayed married so I know I had it much much much better than many.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it was a great time for everyone. Lots of bullying, assaults, homophobia, misogyny, etc. It happened more than today but was more acceptable and just not discussed as much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it was a great time for everyone. Lots of bullying, assaults, homophobia, misogyny, etc. It happened more than today but was more acceptable and just not discussed as much.

While this is true (just watch the 90s movies/sitcoms many of which are so cringe with homophobia) the lack of social media overall made it a better environment overall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of my friends and I look back fondly on the 1990s. It seemed like the height of truly functional society and definitely the last great decade to be a kid. The biggest political scandal involved a BJ, not an insurrection, and IMO children had the perfect balance of technology and analog, live outdoor playtime. People seemed so much less uptight. Life was good. Music was good too, and movies. Is this just rose colored childhood nostalgia or were the 90s actually the best time in America? (Not for other countries of course, especially Eastern Europe)

My husband and I say this all the time. Exactly this balance. Life seemed simpler as well.

[Anonymous]

Seinfeld, Friends and good alternative rock on WHFS!

[Anonymous]

Because you were a kid. This isn't hard.

[Anonymous]

The world was just starting to open up technologically, but the internet wasn't developed or entrenched enough that it was disrupting or shaping teens' lives. Dial-up AOL in the late 90s was great and AIM messaging with friends in the evenings was fun, but you had to be seated at home to access it; we didn't have smartphones so did most of our socializing and gossiping in person, hanging out at friends' houses or music festivals or malls. Our friends were our world, but without a screen barrier between us.

It was more difficult to hear/get your favorite songs, so this made music more special and thrilling, and we sought out live music more than today's teens do.

College applications were less cut-throat and parents viewed us as adults of a sort when we left for college. We were able to start navigating adult relationships and situations in a way that was still protective, but that allowed us to be actual adults.

That's what I've got, anyway.

[Anonymous]

It seemed simpler compared to today. No major conflicts for the US other than the Gulf War, and it was before 9/11. It was just easier to be optimistic.

[Anonymous]

I was an adult living and working in DC and my rent was $700 for a turret apartment in DuPont Circle. The metro cost 90 cents.

[Anonymous]

I hated the 90s. I was so broke.

[Anonymous]

We all still had fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it was a great time for everyone. Lots of bullying, assaults, homophobia, misogyny, etc. It happened more than today but was more acceptable and just not discussed as much.

While this is true (just watch the 90s movies/sitcoms many of which are so cringe with homophobia) the lack of social media overall made it a better environment overall.

I don’t know about that. The tabloids were brutal. Nancy/Tonya, OJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seemed simpler compared to today. No major conflicts for the US other than the Gulf War, and it was before 9/11. It was just easier to be optimistic.

+1 plus the Wall came down (I know it was 89, but in the late months). That might be the only international political event I remember watching live for the entire decade.