11 Comics On How Much Today’s Childhood Differs From Ours
If you’re a 90s kid, then there must have been more than one instance when you looked at the kids of today and said, “We didn’t have that when we were kids” or just gave yourself a 2-minute quick recap of your innocent childhood.
Childhood was much simpler in the 90’s right? The television had less than a hundred channels unlike the endless list of channels on our set-top box today. We had just a couple of favorite ice-creams to choose from when the ice-cream wala used to ring the bell, unlike the gazillion different sundaes, ice-cream cakes, that are available to the youth of today. Even dating was much simpler back then. No grey zones and almost relationships. You were either single or in a relationship.
The 90s kids are a proud lot. They have witnessed the transformation from tape recorders to walkman to mp3 players. They have been here for the introduction of multiculturalism, and they have also witnessed the mushrooming effect of pop culture. So, how different is today’s childhood from ours? Come, let’s take a trip down the memory lane:
11. Games Meant More Than PubG And Playing Fifa
Back in the day, I say it like I’m an oldie, but we had games that were real. We didn’t just armor ourselves and kill people on a device, or score goals on a football field through our virtual clones, we played hopscotch, Kabbadi, Denner and the thief, Burning building, lock and key, lemon and the spoon, ah, the list is endless! Well, if you’re a 90s kid (or an 80s kid) you’d know what these games are. And for those of you who don’t, please play these games at least once in your life! You’ll thank us later.
12. Punishments Were Different
Well, what happens when we walk into a house, and there’s no WiFi or internet connectivity? Sounds like an apocalypse? Let me remind you, that’s pretty much how the 90s kids lived. But these days, that seems like a punishment and that’s the first thing that happens when our parents find us on the wrong side of the road. The punishments differed several years ago. We were made to do uthak-baithaks!
10. Everything Is Online Now
Today, it’s easier to find out what others are up to from the comfort of your home. Thanks to social media, kids have started documenting every aspect of their lives — from womb to tomb kinda thing.
9. There’s No Need Of Censoring Things
90s kids saw two flowers pecking each other whenever the movies wanted to show an intimate scene. Today, it’s out there in the open. Kids don’t shy away from this knowledge.
8. Communication Is Not The Same Anymore
Remember when we had landlines and cordless phones? We had to wait for our friends to phone us to even say, “What’s up?” Conversations were meaningful. The kids of today have it easy with text messages. So much that, they have forgotten what talking to people on the phone seems like.
7. Kids These Days Are More Demanding
In the past, all that it took to please a child was an orange candy or an eclair. Now, kids want what they want. Even if you have to go to Mars to get it.
6. “What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up”?
The reason why we have so many doctors, engineers and scientists is because our elders believed that those were the only fields of success. But, that’s not the case now. Creative and liberal arts is where the kids of today find their calling. Here’s to more writers, animators, illustrators, filmmakers, etc.
5. The Iconic Cartoon Characters V/S New Age Cartoons
From the days of Popeye, Tom and Jerry, The Powerpuff Girls, Flinstones to Peppa Pig and Oggy and The Cockroaches, we have come a long way. Do you think the new cartoons can beat the old ones?
4. Our Favourite Pastime
Many of the youngsters now wouldn’t be aware of this rectangular device called the cassette. But for the 90s kids, this was one item of time pass. There was no joy greater than pulling out the cassette tape and then winding it back up. Now, fidget spinners have taken that place.
3. Playtime Has Changed Over The Years
Earlier, our parents would drag us back into our homes, because we never wanted to leave the playground. But, now we have our playgrounds in our living rooms.
2. Fashion Among Children
Walking the dog in the park was a lethargic act that we indulged in, looking like a hobo, back in the 90s. Now, finding teenagers or youngsters who’re not dressed up or dolled up is akin to a rare sighting.
1. Some Things Remain The Same
Well, some things don’t change. Except for the size of the screen, the emotions attached to iconic movies like The Lion King remain the same. At least, we’re on the same page on that.
While our childhood memories are of picnics, hopscotch, Uncle Chipps, and cycles, that’s not what childhood looks like for the Gen Z. Fortunate or not, we can’t decide, but the advent of technology has been making children miss out on what we perceive as the real moments of life. Do you think the 90s was a better time for kids to grow up, or do you think now is the best time? Let us know in the comments below.
