1984 … I miss the simpler days of the mid-eighties … When I was in 8th grade, my fun things to do were simple: Go to Mcdonalds, go to Major Magics, go to the carnival in the spring or the occasional middle school dance, and go to Carmen’s. (You can see even then food was a central focal point in my life!) Oh, my BFF Ange and I had our church events, too, but just for regular after school activities we mainly gravitated toward food and boys. My weekends were mostly spent at my Gramma’s house, watching Love Boat, Dukes of Hazzard, and Fantasy Island.
Most of our days were spent walking around the ‘Heights, yelling “whoa” at hot boys who drove by us as we roamed the streets or sat on our bench on 11 mile. We also went up to Universal Mall almost daily, to see if we could pick up some hotties. And by pick up I mean say hello and blush. I was very shy and timid then. And we loved going to the movies. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun 
and The Breakfast Club 
were my favorites that year. I also worshiped 
and 
and 
Nowadays, I know 8th graders who worship the cast of The Hills, 
and watch Grey’s Anatomy to see what’s up between Meredith and McDreamy. 
Kids today have it made. I look at my step daughter who is in 8th grade and marvel at how much different her life is from my own. Many kids her age have cell phones, text messages, ipods, myspace, email, laptops with streaming video, free shuttle bus services from their mothers, they play sports, instruments, dance, they go out to eat at fancy restaurants, they go to movies, hang out at friend’s parties until midnight, or even attend hotel parties. WTF?
How have things changed so much? I was only allowed inside my house for meal time and bedtime, no excuses. Parents wanted nothing to do with you and you weren’t allowed to linger indoors, or talk on the phone for more than a few seconds at a time. Now, parents are your BFF’s and take you to all the cool places. Middle school kids that I know have nicer designer purses than me! I’m not sure if all this change is good or bad, but I think life was at least more simpler back then, wouldn’t you agree?
I totally agree with you…and for me, it’s before the 80’s, and life was even simpler then. I’m afraid materialism and current pop culture have, ironically, deprived kids of the very enjoyment of life in its essence…of course, they most likely would not agree, since they don’t have anything to compare with…
By: Arti on May 18, 2008
at 10:25 PM
I know, I never see kids playing on the streets or in their backyards anymore … I can just remember running around playing Capture the Flag and Frozen Tag and being so happy. Will this generation lose their creativity? I’m so freaked out by the youth today …
By: thegirlfromtheghetto on May 18, 2008
at 10:31 PM
ohhh I LOVED the Smurfs.
THe first season just came out on DVD, I had to buy it!
By: The Vinyl Villager on May 19, 2008
at 7:59 AM
So true. I think the generation that grew up in the 80’s was the last unspoiled generation. I don’t think young parents understand the value of recess and sadistic games like Red Rover for their children.
Ah, that was the life.
By: MJ on May 19, 2008
at 12:53 PM
I’ve been thinking about this lately. Kids don’t how to appreciate things. They don’t know what they are missing. I miss those days, too. More simple, more innocent. and definitely cheaper.
I miss Big Hair Bands! LOL
By: trailerparkbarbie on May 19, 2008
at 3:45 PM
I have often wondered if it was because we did without that we want to make sure our kids have things. Perhaps they have WAY TOO EFFIN MUCH!
Do kids today have the same live interaction with their friends or is it all thru Myspace etc?
Did our parents think that their genreation was the last unspoiled generation?
I am yearning for a small roll back to the 80’s
By: betme on May 19, 2008
at 5:37 PM
I loved Girls Just Want to Have Fun…pre-SATC Sarah Jessica
.
By: Allison on June 11, 2008
at 4:05 PM