In a month, 2019, the last year of the“teen” decade (2010-2020) will come to an end. The teens of today have put down the TV remote and picked up their phones. They have put down their lego building blocks and started building relationships with one another. The teens of today, more specifically the Class of 2020, or commonly known as “Generation Z”, are ready to put on their cap and gown. But before everyone starts this new chapter of their lives, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Looking back into the past has always been a beneficial strategy to thriving in ones future. It’s always important to remember where the teens of today came from, because knowing one’s roots creates a better understanding of the type of person they grow up to be.
The Internet, which is mostly used by teens born in the 1990’s to the early 2000’s, has caused an uproar regarding the amount of months left in this devastating year. Through articles, tips,and inspirational quotes many teens have voiced their goal to achieve the well-known idiom of “make the last of the ‘teen’ decade count.” It would seem that the kids who have been greatly impacted by the “teen” decade, are afraid of growing up. They’d rather be blasted back into the past where their biggest worry was watching their favorite shows in time. Some of these shows — Wizards of Waverly Place, Hannah Montana, Spongebob SquarePants, The Fairly Odd Parents, Big Time Rush, and The Backyardigans —. were coincidentally chosen as Logan’s theme for the 2019-2020 school year.
Even though these iconic childhood shows have come to an end, their legacy still lives on in the hearts of millions. Millions of teens and adults who grew up with these classic shows will never forget what shaped them into who they are today. High school students especially will never forget about the decade in which they grew up in.
When asked how these childhood shows have shaped the person they are today, Jordan Alaliey, a James Logan junior, answered, “[It developed] my creativity through the use of art, it gave me more humor because these shows showed me it was okay to make jokes and be funny, and it gave me a reason to sit down with my family.” Alaliey’s love for Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, and Nickelodeon, to name a few, has given him the ability to become who he is today. Jordan Alailey was additionally asked if he could go back to his childhood. He said, “Oh for sure. If I could have that all back then I’d trade that for everything I have today.” More and more of Generation Z, including Alailey, agree that they would trade everything they have now to go back to their childhood.
Although the parents of today’s generation now give their electronics to entertain their children, the parents of Generation Z gave their children one option: go outside and play. However, the days of staying inside and turning on the television to watch timeless TV shows will always be remembered. Gwen Tam, a junior at James Logan High School, is sad to see her childhood TV shows come to an end. However, her remembrance of these timeless TV shows will live on. “I loved watching The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy and Paw Patrol as a kid.” she says. Tam explains that, “Living in this new decade I’m going to be over 18 for most of it and I’m going to miss this decade because it’s the decade in which I grew up in.” Tam paints a feeling of how mostly everyone feels entering this new decade.
With 2019 coming to an end in less than two months, it becomes necessary to look back on what shaped the childhoods of many. Moreover, it’s necessary to understand and comprehend the wishes of Generation Z. When asked if they wish these earlier generations could experience the same artifacts they used and watched as a kid, their answers were diversified yet had a central main idea. Katie Panyanouvong, a senior at James Logan High School, said,“I actually do wish these kids could experience the same things I did as a kid. For me, I didn’t grow up with technology (tablets and etc). I actually played outside with my sister and enjoyed the outdoors.” She adds on by contrasting what she used to do, to what she does now which is, “being in my room all day and being on my computer watching YouTube.”
“2020 signifies the end of my childhood,” says Gwen Tam. She continues, “I wish kids could experience the same things I had when I was a kid. A lot of them have tablets and other things. But when I was a kid I had Littlest Pet Shop. But kids like what they like.” she said in a defeated manner.
Generation Z , along with Tam and Panyanouvong, are dumbfounded by the amount of kids who grew up with technology and other artifacts that didn’t exist when Generation Z were children. This astonishment shows the bolded divide of these generations.This split magnifies the divide between fun and addiction.
However, everything shouldn’t just be left all gloomy and dim. These childhood shows have shaped many generations, especially Generation Z. All in all, 2019 is coming to an end. 2020 is a new decade that will be life-changing for many individuals. Coming into a new year, let alone a new decade, can be frightening but it’s critical to remember that one is not alone in this world. So, cheers to 2019! Thank you for everything! Although 2019 is the ending of the “teen” decade, it doesn’t mean that it will be forgotten.
Goodbye, and Thank you 2019. Say hello to 2020, here’s to a new decade!
