As we celebrate the milestone of The Breakfast Club‘s 30th anniversary (can you believe it?), let’s take a nostalgic look at how life for today’s teens compares to the ’80s. Here are 10 notable changes—or perhaps, some things that are still the same.
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Employment
- 1985: Scored a hostess gig at Chi-Chi’s for a whopping $3.50 an hour!
- 2023: Now I’m earning money writing! Unfortunately, the freelance rate still lands me around… you guessed it, $3.50 an hour.
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Waiting (Also Known as ‘Isn’t It Funny What We Hold Out For?’)
- 1985: Sat by the phone hoping the cute boy from the beach would call.
- 2023: Now I find myself waiting for my kid’s soccer schedule to drop.
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Snack Favorites
- 1985: Ruffles potato chips paired with sour cream and onion dip were the go-tos.
- 2023: I should’ve invested in Lipton Onion Soup Mix back then!
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Cinema
- 1985: The Breakfast Club premiered, and I was told I looked like Ally Sheedy! But was it the “dandruff girl” or the glamorous version? That question lingered for years.
- 2023: Now I watch The Breakfast Club with my kids. My teen is mortified to see it with her family, while my 11-year-old relishes the inappropriate humor I had forgotten. (Note to self: Don’t let my teen know about the time we watched Bad News Bears together.) Finally free from worrying about which Ally Sheedy I resembled!
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Favorite Denim
- 1985: I saved my Chi-Chi’s paychecks for a pair of $85 paisley Guess jeans. They were admired until my college lifestyle led me to trade them for cozy grey Hanes sweatpants.
- 2023: I found the same paisley Guess jeans online for just $19! Clearly, they’ve dropped in popularity due to the “super skinny” trend. Women of all ages still prefer comfy sweats, especially when they cost the same.
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Parking Skills
- 1985: Managed to parallel park a Pontiac station wagon during driver’s ed—barely passing the test. My instructor advised more practice with my parents, which I conveniently forgot to mention.
- 2023: Still can’t parallel park, but I’ve mastered the art of backing into tight spots. A recent highlight? Successfully sliding our minivan into a minuscule gap between two luxury cars. Getting out was a challenge, though—especially for the Jag owners.
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Trophies Galore
- 1985: Accepted my fate of never winning a trophy and pretended it didn’t bother me.
- 2023: Big news! You can now purchase trophies that double as wine stoppers. Isn’t America amazing?
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Concert Experiences
- 1985: Attended a mind-blowing Purple Rain concert featuring Prince and Sheila E. It was unforgettable!
- 2023: My daughter loves Taylor Swift’s catchy tunes and fabulous outfits. However, no one’s really learning anything new here. Back in my day… well, never mind.
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Resting Hours
- 1985: Enjoyed a solid nine hours of sleep nightly. School was from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., leaving ample time for activities, homework, and no caffeine was needed.
- 2023: High school starts at 7:20 a.m. I can’t function without coffee, and my teen is not far behind. It’s insane!
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Friendship Choices
- 1985: Made wise friendship decisions.
- 2023: Still choosing friends wisely. I love my kids’ friends too, and this matters more than competitive sports, AP classes, or college choices. Relationships always overshadow rankings.
Bonus Insight
Did you know that “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a song that clearly reminds me of Ruffles and dip, was penned by Prince in 1985? Sinead O’Connor later made it famous. Just remember, Prince always reigns supreme (imagine him in a purple bathtub filled with sour cream and onion dip—I’ll bring the chips!).
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In summary, while some aspects of life have undoubtedly changed since 1985, many core experiences—like waiting for calls or cherishing friendships—remain timeless. The evolution of culture and technology has transformed our daily routines, yet the essence of growing up and connecting with others endures.