Better Quality of Life - 80's and 90's or the 00's/Now? (middle-class, layoffs)

[Do a Barrel Roll]

Note: This is an offshoot from the "Better Quality of Life - 50's and 60's or Now?" thread.

From what I recall, families for the most part were able to maintain a decent standard of living with responsible spending. There were still a fair amount of one-income families, but a two-income household usually assured at least a middle-class standard of living. There were a few wars and minor recessions here and there, but not to the extent of being life-altering to an entire nation.

The amenities we have today were still around in these days, but just in a more simplified way (but were still entertaining) Instead of Wiis and Playstations, we had Ataris and 8 & 16 bit Nintendos. Instead of HDTV and a trillion satellite channels, we had stereo and basic cable & broadcast channels with quality shows. Instead of T1 and broadband, we had Dial-Up and DSL. Instead of mp3 and iPods, we had cassettes/CDs and walkmans. Despite these things, people still maintained a sense of awareness and communication with the outside world.

Also, people back then seemed a lot more social and outgoing. Parties and get-togethers were more than common during these days (and it wasn't just for birthdays or holidays). The demeanor of many people were more approachable and with less attitude, which made it easier to socialize and meet people in general. The way of making friends and meeting people of the opposite sex involved less manipulation and games, and was just more upfront and genuine. And people - for the most part - used to work out their problems, instead of quitting and pinning blame on everyone else like today.

I could go one and on, but to be honest, it's very hard to argue that today is better than the 1950s for everyone except for perhaps white christian men. But compared to the 1980s and especially the 1990s, the only improvement I've seen in this decade is in technology (a faster and more interactive internet, more video game graphics, utilization of cell phones as computers, etc.). I understand times and trends change, but why does it seem to be for the worst in 9 out of 10 categories.

I know that the (mid-late) 2000s were good and 2010s will be better for me - by a default financial standpoint - because my standard of living increased by attaining a college degree in a decent major, and I'll be able to mobilize myself easier if I don't like a certain city/region. But I'm asking this for the general aspect of the quality of living and the outlook of the 2000s and the upcoming decade.

[Rachael84]

Definitely the 80s. It seems everything was more care-free back then and just more fun. I was only 4-5 years old in the late 80s, so unfortunately I never got to experience it at my prime. All my favorite bands are from then, so I would have LOVED to have seen them at their peak if I were a teenager back then.

Now we have to worry about terror/the war, the terrible economy, global warming, etc. I know the 80s experienced it too, but not to the level it is today.

[Desert kid]

Absolute best time had to be the Mid/Late 90s, everything seemed leveled out around that time (economy, standard of living) and growing too.

[Rachael84]

I really didn't like the mid/late 90s. I guess part of it could be because I was a teen then, but the worst part was all the Columbine stuff going on. Most of my peers and I were scared to go to school because of all the threats we kept hearing. You never knew if the stuff was true. We were always let out early because of bomb scares. It was a pretty scary time to be a teen.

[AZLiam]

I would say the late 80's and early 90's.

People obviously weren't as politically correct then; however, somehow, people were able to get along with each other then just as much as they do now.

[Do a Barrel Roll]

I don't know if it's just me, but I felt people of different races/religions/cultures got along better with each other back in the 90s without the political correctness and emphasis on multiculturalism. Back then, it was about just genuinely accepting or at least "live-and-let-live." Now, it's all about showing off and proving "tolerance."

As for the late 90s, I would say those were the best days out of those two decades. The only thing I would find questionable was the gradual rise of pop-music and mainstream hip-pop that would become over-saturated in the 2000s.

[eek]

this is a hard one...i'd choose 80's-90's over 00's easily. life changed after 9/11 IMHO.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by AZLiam

I would say the late 80's and early 90's.

People obviously weren't as politically correct then; however, somehow, people were able to get along with each other then just as much as they do now.

I agree......It was a good time back then.

[tahiti]

i would be interested to see how old everyone is who's responding. I see many references to "political correctness" and I don't feel we are any more politically correct these days (read some of these boards!). i also may be older than some of you here, and let's be real, in your teens/early 20's you generally don't give a crap about political correctness! read some younger people's facebooks and you'll see what I mean!

i personally can say the 80's - if I forget that I lived in constant fear of a nuclear bomb being dropped on my head.

[♪♫♪♪♫♫♪♥]

I'm 34, and the 80s and 90s were a utopia compared to today. The world is never a perfect place regardless of the decade, but when it comes to 9/11 this and outsource that and downsize this and Patriot Act that and my own military enlistment and job layoffs and so on and so forth, 2000-09 by comparison was absolutely the worst decade of my entire life. I sincerely hope it stays that way.