What is it like being a teenager in the late 1980’s (1989)? Let us find out together!
The late 1980’s is loved by many and talked about continuously. It can even be compared to today’s generation. Let us learn more information about what it was like being a teenager in the late 1980’s from Wilma Gamble, also known as my mother. A 1989 baby. That speaks highly of her generation and how things were done “back then.”
My mother’s childhood was remembered mostly in her household. About her upbringing and the effect, it has had on her that can describe her character now. It is useful to know the difference between generations of growing up so that we can better understand our parents. My mother will be describing her memorization of growing up and sharing it with us so we can have insight into what the late 1980’s contributed to her as a person.
Wilma Gamble was born 05/3/1989 (May 3rd of 1989). She continuously talks about how her childhood shaped who she is today. She goes on to explain her experience as a teenager as she recalls it being old-school strict. Where things were done a certain way and time. She had a very traditional household; organized and well put together.
Wilma remembers helping her mom contribute to the house by doing chores, helping with cooking and keeping good grades in school; the honor roll. She was very big on wanting her mom to be proud of her, so she made sure to keep up with the house including personal accomplishments.
Wilma then follows up with her appreciation for her mother; my grandmother. Being that my grandmother was as strict as she was in making sure my mother was successful and well-rounded as a woman.
“I really liked the fact that we had rules. It allowed me to carry those same expectations that my mother had of me into the world. I always find myself cleaning and keeping my space organized and working hard in the real world to carry out my goals.”
In cohesion, my mother further reveals the household she grew up in and the orderly fashion of how it worked.
“My household was very in order and there was an everyday routine. Getting up early, making the bed, making sure my room is clean, and the house is clean before leaving to school and eating breakfast after the fact.”
Although the household seems very stern Wilma adds a hint of sweetness in her childhood memories of when her mother made sure she always had everything she needed and could want.
“My mom never allowed me to leave home without money. Nor food in my system. She always taught me when you leave the house “never leave empty handed because you never know what you might need.”
She then spoke deeper into her upbringing in the late 1980’s. As she declares her feelings revolving around safety in that period.
“It was safer at that time. We were able to walk around the block without danger. Abduction, kidnappings, and killings. We could play around and not have to worry about our safety. We could be out for hours at a time just being kids.”
She then executes the idea of the world being safer in the late 1980’s to “Not saying it was completely safe, but the crime rate was not as excessive. We had the ability to be kids freely without the thought of worrying about our surroundings.”
She finds it unnecessarily excessive about the dangers in the world today. Although she knows it is never completely safe in the world even back in her time of upbringing.
Wilma further goes on to talk about the difference in time management from now and back then. What she used to spend her childhood doing vs what we spend our childhood doing today.
“When I came up there was not as much social media. Which is a good thing because it is very controlling of the mindset. We were just happy and having fun. Now social media is like a handbook people feel as though they should follow for fun.”
Although different generations can be compared: My mom loved her childhood and still talks about it to this day. It is what made her the person she is now. Ask your parents about their upbringing, you might find out something new or interesting!
