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Teacher Asks His Students “What Do You Think Was The Worst Part About Growing U…
Growing up in the '80s was a lot different from what children of today experience, but it wasn't near as bad as these 7th graders think.
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Gen Z's Take on the 80s: Tuberculosis, Child Labor, and No Texts for Your BFF
Middle School Students Offer Humorous, Anachronistic Views on 1980s Life A recent social media video by a Palm Springs-based middle school teacher, known as "7thGradeChronicles," has garnered significant attention by showcasing the surprising perspectives of today's youth on growing up in the 1980s. The teacher posed a simple question to their 7th-grade English Language Arts students: "What do you think was the worst part about growing up in the 1980s?" The resulting answers, displayed on sticky notes in the video, reveal a blend of genuine confusion and comical anachronisms. Among the responses were concerns such as "Dealing with Tuberculosis," "Child Labor," and "Having to run to school uphill both ways," suggesting a dramatic misinterpretation of the era's challenges. Other answers highlighted the absence of modern conveniences, with one student lamenting "Not able to text your Pookie/BFF" and another expressing dismay over "The bad T.V. channels." Perhaps the most self-aware, or ironically humorous, response was simply "Being old now." The video, set to the iconic 1980s hit "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," illustrates the significant generational gap and how contemporary issues or historical tropes can influence young people's understanding of the past. It offers a lighthearted look at how different generations perceive historical periods, sparking amusement and reflection among viewers.
