Times have drastically changed over the years especially the way children perceive things as well as what childhood is like. The difference of 10 years makes for radically contrasting experiences. The 90’s generation had quite interesting childhood experiences, very different from those growing up now. It can be surprising how we teenagers even made it out alive. The parenting techniques of the 90’s have been abandoned since nowadays they are frowned upon. With the advancements in technology, changes in the social aspects, and new scientific discoveries, you realize times sure have changed either for the better or for worse. Here are a few things we have since reconsidered in the 10 years since the last of the 90’s children were born.
1. High fructose corn syrup is now the devil.
I mean, it’s never really changed its sugary makeup and added sugar has probably always been evil, but our parents used to ignore doctor’s sound advice and allow us to wire up on soda, red strawberry Gushers, and of course Koolaid Bursts less formally known as the “plastic bottles with twisty tops that have colored juice in them.” Juice was seen as a preventative medicine. Milk came in distant second, and water was an afterthought. But corn syrup? Corn syrup made food last longer, it kept kids awake, and it helped make things chewy. Hey, if it could really transform fruit from a large, gross tasting shape to something that you rolled out by the foot, anybody was game. Today’s children will never know or understand that rush you got before playing a game of non-stop action tag after drinking Koolaid Bursts. They’ll never have the feeling of munching down on Lucky Charms every morning without your mom hollering at you that it isn’t healthy. Since healthy cereal came into play, that’s what is mostly in your cabinet rather than having a cheerful cardboard leprechaun greeting you to enjoy your sugary morning rush.
2. Television has more of an educational background to it
When we grew up, the “Ed, EEd, and Eddie” or “Johnny Bravo” cartoon were there to guide the way. Now, kids are supposed to be learning at every turn, and that can be exhausting. Social changes in society as well as the need to meet higher educational standards cause kids television shows to change. This concept can be controversial though, because there are still subliminal messages in all children’s TV shows today. Shows in the 90’s taught lessons too, but the purposes behind them have changed drastically. The best lesson I probably learned from television was that purple dinosaurs helped you clean up your toys. Now the juniors, both Nick and Disney corporations, carefully define to parents what social and educational skills each show will offer their audience. “Wow Wow Wubbzy,” somewhat similar to “Barney” teaches children how to share and care by nurturing social and emotional development at a higher level. Nowadays society wants to prepare children for bigger challenges, not that this is harmful but it takes away from the fun and carelessness child. “Olivia,” another animated cartoon, teaches kids about using their imaginations, and “Handy Manny” reinforces stereotypes about Latinos that they are little handy men with a bunch of tools for friends. The number of reality tv shows have multiplied and now reality is trying to be expressed through children’s tv shows to advance these snotnosed preschoolers understanding earlier.
3. But too much television now rots your brain.
In the 90’s, TV was a fascinating device to kids and watching TV wasn’t looked upon to be so bad for you since children also loved going outside. Now Nick and Disney television channels mention during commercials to go outside and play. Never in the 90’s were there any reminders to go outside, you just did so on your own free will. With the advancement in technology and the increase of obesity in the United States, it is being forced upon children to go outside and avoid excessive use of technology. It isn’t a good thing to be on or using electronic devices all day, and it’s appropriate for children to be warned and to be told to go outside, but it never had to be forced. The push to stay healthy is important even more now, toddlers are doing yoga in Central Park in the middle of the day, and that might be taking things too far. The only yoga that 90’s kids did was when they didn’t know how to pronounce yogurt — that delicious, fake colored goo that was not from Greece, didn’t have real fruit at the bottom and certainly had loads of sugar.
4. Barbie and Disney princesses are now causes for poor self-esteem.
Barbie dolls and Disney princesses are seen as giving a negative outlook on the way young girls feel about themselves. Appearance can be a major part of our society today and children are now taught how nobody looks like Barbie, and that she isn’t “natural.” When I was a kid, Barbie and her animated sisters, the Princesses, were the stuff of legend. They taught us that as long as you wanted it, you could be anything or do anything or make any man love you. How many careers did Barbie have? She was President, and a teacher, and an Olympic gymnast, and a dog washer, and sold Girl Scout cookies. I mean in a way she taught us how to multi-task but children now are consumed with looks because of media and our society. Barbie and Disney Princesses weren’t made to make kids frown they were made to make them happy and have fun.
5. Adult programming is now definitely for adults.
If you had cool parents, they would let you stay up with them and watch somewhat racy shows like “Friends.” Now mommy and daddy watch “True Blood”, a sexual, violent show, “Orange is the New Black,” about female adventures in a female penitentiary or “Breaking Bad” a show about a chemistry teacher who sells meth. Sex, drugs, and violent are involved in most adult TV shows and I don’t think any children are ready for that kind of exposure.
6. Technology is no longer a novelty.
Once upon a time, “Oregon Trail” was a totally groundbreaking computer game, and children would beg our teachers to go to the “lab” at school devoted to one colossal box computer. Most families also had only one household computer for a long time, which sat proudly and awkwardly in the dining room like that revered great aunt everyone knew they were supposed to love, but were kind of afraid they might kill if they breathed on her. Technology is fascinating, no longer did people have to stay in a library and study books all day, technology and information is now available with a click of a button. Now, two year olds know how to operate an iPad better than I do.
7. Music is a sad state of affairs.
Pop music once was liked by everyone. We had ‘N Sync first then came Justin Timberlake and the Backstreet Boys. Of course there was Britney Spears and the Hanson Band. Music of all genres were liked by everyone because of their clever beats and rhythms. Nowadays , there are all types of songs that either have no meaning behind them or are trashy. The lyrics of these songs reflect on what the society is turning into which does not display a positive one. Now not all music is horrible, but, point blank, it just isn’t the same anymore.
8. Kids no longer base their schedule around a special television event.
As a kid you used to have to plan out when you were going to watch your favorite movie or TV show because there was no other way to watch it again. It used to be like if you didn’t watch a Disney Channel Original Movie on its world premiere showing, you just weren’t cool. It was the condolences we were thrown for being too young to go out and hang out late with our friends. Now, kids have TIVO. They never have to miss anything. Television waits for them to go have a life, maybe go outside, play video and computer games, and upon their arrival, their shows will still be there for them when they get back.
9. High-end designers now get kids in on the action.
As kids it was pointless to get a lot of clothes since you grew so fast. After a while, as a girl, you eventually graduated to the very matchy, glittery look of The Limited Too. Now, Sketchers as we knew them are a thing of the past. Instead, toddlers can get their Diane Von Furstenberg fix at Gap and grow out of it two weeks later. Oscar de la Renta designs for children, the rise of young children wearing UGG boots, and a baby even walked in a Chanel runway show. Kids are becoming absorbed with the thought of getting the newest thing by showing children designer products at such a young age it gives off the wrong message. You shouldn’t have to worry about your clothes or appearance as a child, just remember to have fun.
10. Today’s kids know everyone actually grows up.
As kids in the 90’s, we didn’t worry about getting older; it would just come as time went on and mother nature would take its course. Today kids grow up way too fast, fourth graders are starting to wear foundation and mascara, terms I didn’t learn about until seventh and eighth grade. Dating is beginning a lot earlier now and even the pressure to do drugs and drunk had increased. Kids are somewhat forced to grow up because of this fast- paced society.
Overall, due to the way the world works today, childhoods are much different than they used to be. Of course every circumstance is different as well as parenting skills and not all these differences may pertain to certain people but it can be agreed on that times have changed and so have childhoods.
