As a millennial, I recognize that us 90’s kids just look like very tall teenagers, where as people our age back 30 to 40 years ago actually LOOKED like they were in their 20’s. Why is this?
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Fine, I will collect some downvotes. Just hear me out before downvoting after the first sentence.
As a Gen Xer, we looked like adults because we dressed and acted like adults. Why? Because we were too few and too broke to even register on the radar of marketing departments. We followed the fashions of the day, and those fashions were largely geared towards mid life crisis boomers. We just did not matter, we knew we did not matter, so we just dressed in what was popular and available. Our only contribution to enduring fashion was the popularisation of the flannel shirt.
M’s and Z’s, well, y’all are massive by comparison. And you grew up in a world where things were marketed towards you your entire life. Unfortunately, marketing and messaging became more refined. They learned to identify weaknesses in consumers. And boy did the fashion folks find your weakness.
You were raised (partly our fault and we need to own that) in a manner that was very sheltered. Where feeling safe was important. We grew up constantly at risk, and we overcompensated. So now we have two generations that are anxious and easily motivated by fear. Not even real fear. Just fear of discomfort or inconvenience. Marketing saw that and capitalized. They sold you safety. Security. How? They sold you your childhood. Hang with me here
Look at the fashion trends of the last decade. They are either adult versions of what you wore when you were a child (rompers, for example) or they are just infantilizing you with things that make you feel comfortable and safe such as onesies. Even your shoes are throwbacks to your childhood. Casual day? Go out in your jammies and slippers. Because that is what we allow our children to do. Only now it is adult fashion because again, you are being sold your own damned childhood. And your food? How many adults do you know that eat chicken nuggets 2 or more times per week? Childhood food, but now made for adults who never learned how to cook for themselves. It’s just…
Listen, y’all are supposed to be the future. We never had a shot. We knew that from day one. But you guys, M’s and Z’s… You can really change the world. But you have got to sacrifice comfort for truth. You have to stop letting these bastards control you. Divide you. Section you off. You have traded personalities for identities. Personalities are limitless. Drawn broadly. Identities are carved down into smaller and smaller boxes every day. All the easier to control you. Send you to your little echo chamber. Teach you how to fear and hate anyone not in your ever-shrinking box. Don’t let them steal your youth like that. Don’t let them convince you that the others are evil or ignorant just because they disagree with you. You know who is wrong? Everyone. No one is right about everything and what you consider kind today will seem like something else tomorrow. So stop buying adult versions of childhood clothes. Stop eating childhood food. And stop allowing yourselves to be pinned into echo chambers of fear, hate, and rage. Life is so big, but it goes by so fast. Be young. Be bold. And be smart enough to see the good in people with whom you disagree
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