American Life: By Michael Van Beveren
American life in the 1980’s focused mostly on the individual. People began shopping and spending money that they didn’t have just so they could have the latest and greatest. This led to one of the largest spikes of individual debt in the nation's history.
Pop and dance music became popular during this time period. People began moving away from disco and into the likes of Michael Jackson and Madonna. Hard rock also emerged as a favorite during this time period. Bands such as Metallica, Europe, Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses and Cinderella became popular. The 80’s also showed the resurgence of Alice Cooper and Aerosmith.
Legal Thriller books became common in most households. Authors like Stephen King, Danielle Steele and Tom Clancy also saw their rise in the book market. Americans began to find reading suspenseful crime dramas as a good and exciting way to pass the time.
The 80’s saw the continued growth of children’s team sports. Children began playing more sports than almost ever before. The 80’s was also the rise of the collectible. People began buying camcorders, dolls and video games in larger numbers than ever before. Nintendo products became common household items as Americans began finding Pac Man and the Game Boy.
“Wait a minute, Doc. Are you telling me that you built a time machine...out of a DeLorean?” Americans began flocking to the movies during the 80’s. Movie series such as Back to the Future and Indiana Jones. The birth of the Arcade also found its roots in the 80’s. People began playing Tetris, Pac Man and other games coast to coast. Along with movies most Americans began to develop their favorite TV series. People began watching Magnum P.I., The A-Team, The Cosby Show, Dallas and Cheers. Americans gathered around the TV at night to watch their favorite TV series.
AIDS was also a major epidemic during the 1980's. AIDS became a major issue during the 70's and expanded into the 80's. People began to notice that AIDS was a major issue during this time as well.
The 80’s continued the trend of the 70’s in fashion. People still wore bright colored clothes and had ludicrously large hair cuts.
Pop and dance music became popular during this time period. People began moving away from disco and into the likes of Michael Jackson and Madonna. Hard rock also emerged as a favorite during this time period. Bands such as Metallica, Europe, Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses and Cinderella became popular. The 80’s also showed the resurgence of Alice Cooper and Aerosmith.
Legal Thriller books became common in most households. Authors like Stephen King, Danielle Steele and Tom Clancy also saw their rise in the book market. Americans began to find reading suspenseful crime dramas as a good and exciting way to pass the time.
The 80’s saw the continued growth of children’s team sports. Children began playing more sports than almost ever before. The 80’s was also the rise of the collectible. People began buying camcorders, dolls and video games in larger numbers than ever before. Nintendo products became common household items as Americans began finding Pac Man and the Game Boy.
“Wait a minute, Doc. Are you telling me that you built a time machine...out of a DeLorean?” Americans began flocking to the movies during the 80’s. Movie series such as Back to the Future and Indiana Jones. The birth of the Arcade also found its roots in the 80’s. People began playing Tetris, Pac Man and other games coast to coast. Along with movies most Americans began to develop their favorite TV series. People began watching Magnum P.I., The A-Team, The Cosby Show, Dallas and Cheers. Americans gathered around the TV at night to watch their favorite TV series.
AIDS was also a major epidemic during the 1980's. AIDS became a major issue during the 70's and expanded into the 80's. People began to notice that AIDS was a major issue during this time as well.
The 80’s continued the trend of the 70’s in fashion. People still wore bright colored clothes and had ludicrously large hair cuts.