For anyone who has ever resurrected a faulty Nintendo game by blowing into it, traveled in a wood-paneled station wagon without a seatbelt, or felt exhilarated by a folded piece of paper that claimed you’d one day own a mansion, you might just be a product of the ‘80s. Those of us who spent our childhoods in this vibrant decade witnessed the evolution of music from 8-tracks to cassettes, and then to CDs, while also adapting to the advent of microwaves and VCRs. We might navigate Netflix with ease today, but we also remember the struggle of getting up to switch the channel on a bulky television set. Although we are adept with smartphones, there was a time when we stretched phone cords to their limits just to chat.
Growing up in the ‘80s was a time free from the social media pressures that define today’s childhood. Back then, “no filter” wasn’t a concept; you simply had to wait until your film was developed to see how your photos turned out. Kids today will never experience the thrill of picking up those photos from the store.
So, lace up your Reebok high-tops, and let’s take a trip down memory lane filled with some totally rad ‘80s nostalgia.
1. Television Shows Were Different
Reality TV was nonexistent. Instead, we enjoyed family-centric sitcoms like Family Ties, Diff’rent Strokes, and Growing Pains. Parents found their drama in shows like Miami Vice and Dallas, while some friends were glued to soap operas, discussing characters as if they were part of their lives. The suspenseful moments came from shows like Rescue 911 and Unsolved Mysteries—that theme song still haunts me.
2. Saturday Morning Cartoons
Our Saturday mornings were sacred. We’d indulge in bowls of cereal—often selected based on the cool prizes inside—and watch shows like Jem and the Holograms and Muppet Babies. We also enjoyed educational programs on PBS, which left us ample time for outdoor play.
3. Freedom to Explore
In those days, if we disappeared for hours, our parents trusted that we were safe, likely enjoying bologna sandwiches and Capri Suns at a friend’s house. Bicycle rides around the neighborhood were carefree adventures, and we often gathered at homes with the best stocked freezer of Otter Pops.
4. Food Choices Were Different
Without the constant scrutiny of junk food consumption, we indulged in treats like Jell-O Pudding Pops and Cool Ranch Doritos. Our lunches were washed down with Hi-C Ecto Cooler or Kool-Aid, and we often munched on Fruit Roll-Ups.
5. Toys of the Era
Indoor playtime brought us beloved toys, from Care Bears to Cabbage Patch Kids, and our trading cards were the Garbage Pail Kids. We enjoyed storytelling sessions with Fisher-Price record players, listening to tales while drawing our fashionable ‘80s outfits.
6. Fashion Trends
Fashion was a vibrant expression of fun. Acid-washed jeans, shoulder pads, and neon colors defined our wardrobes. Our accessories included jelly shoes, which were stylish yet prone to causing sweaty feet. Sky-high hairstyles were a norm, with big, fluffy looks that required considerable hairspray.
7. Beauty Routines
A trip to the local drugstore sufficed for all our beauty needs. We used products like Noxema and strawberry-scented Suave, stored our makeup in Caboodles, and reveled in colorful lipsticks and nail polishes. Perfumes like Baby Soft were a staple in our routines.
8. The Roller Skating Rink
The roller skating rink was our social hub, where we skated to the sounds of pop icons like Michael Jackson and Madonna. We made mixtapes of our favorite songs, painstakingly waiting by our boomboxes to press record.
9. School Days
School was a mix of challenges and joys. We relied on encyclopedias for projects and decorated our Trapper Keepers with scented stickers. Book fairs introduced us to series like The Baby-Sitter’s Club, and we enjoyed playing Oregon Trail on those ancient Apple II computers.
10. Communication with Friends
After school, we connected with friends through phone calls. If we were lucky, we had the trendy clear phones, with long cords allowing us to reach the fridge while chatting for hours.
The ‘80s represented a unique blend of childhood innocence and the dawn of technology. Those of us who grew up during this time are fortunate to have experienced such a transformative decade, where playgrounds were less safe and fashion choices were bold. It shaped us into who we are today, reflecting on a time when life was both simpler and filled with wonder. Do you miss the ‘80s? Check yes or no.
For more on at-home insemination kits, explore our related blog post at Make a Mom. For insights on parenting, check out Intracervical Insemination, an authority on the topic. And for excellent resources regarding pregnancy and home insemination, visit IVF Babble.
In summary, growing up in the ‘80s was a blend of fun, freedom, and unforgettable experiences that shaped our identities and friendships during a defining decade.