Introduction
Adolescence has undergone significant changes over time, especially between the ages of 18 and 25. Technological advances, education and employment, economic challenges, cultural changes, and increased mental health awareness drive these changes. Economic pressures, societal expectations, and the fast-paced pace of modern life can leave young people feeling stressed, insecure, and isolated.
Account on Young Adults’ Experiences in the 1990s
I asked my mom, who is currently 52 years of age and a college graduate, responded that being an adolescent growing up in the 1990s was a “glass ceiling.” As a biracial female undergraduate student attending Buffalo State University, she did not have the option to mark any other or biracial categories.
Her race identification was determined by her living on campus, miles away from the Bronx, New York, and by not having the convenience of a local grocery store or relatives to borrow from, which was a challenge at that age. However, the expectations of being independent, living in a dorm, balancing a spending budget, and working full-time were very demanding. Now, society has become more tolerant, and its expectations have changed. All people are equal, and people of different races can live together in the same dormitory.
Technological advances were on the rise, but not as fast as those of today for adolescents. My mother’s internet was dial-up, and the term “you got mail” was exciting to hear. The adolescents in my ear grew up in a world without the internet, social media, or smartphones, which were not mainstream until the 2000s.
They grew up playing outside, listening to the radio, reading books, watching cartoons, if their family could afford a TV, watching TV shows that taught moral values, such as “The Cosby Show”, “Different World,” “Facts of Life”, “Family Ties,” and spending time with friends and family. Technological changes have had a strong impact on people aged 18-25; today’s teenagers are more knowledgeable in this regard and can communicate at any given time from anywhere in the world. In contrast, the previous generation could communicate only in person or by letter.
Reflection
I think the youth of the previous generation, such as my mom, had a harder time than the current generation. As my mom reminisced about her adolescent years, she mentioned recurring activist themes in the 1990s, including labor rights, global issues, and LGBTQ rights. Several protests regarding global issues — ranging from the CIA’s activities in Central America to the detention of Haitian refugees in U.S. military installations — occurred throughout the decade. Such events have a noticeable impact on teenagers’ personality development, so people who grew up in the 90s and today’s youth are different.
As for the cost of living, it depends on who you ask. Overall, the cost of housing, health care, and education has risen markedly in most countries, increasing the burden on all people, including those aged 18-25. And in the 1990s, America’s economy was booming, with an unemployment rate at its lowest in decades (The 1990s Lifestyles and Social Trends: Topics in the News, 2024, n.d., para. 1). Economists called it “luxury fever,” and consumers spent a lot of money on expensive possessions like huge televisions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the experience of living between the ages of 18 and 25 has changed significantly over time, influenced by technological advances, economic changes, and shifting cultural expectations. The cultural climate creates both advantages and obstacles, including increased access to information and increased pressure and uncertainty. By acknowledging change, young adults can forge their own path to fulfillment and success.
Reference
The 1990s Lifestyles and Social Trends: Topics in the News. (n.d).