Over the past few years, a new phenomenon has been rising, one that has come from the minds of a whole generation. One can find references to it, especially on the Internet, all around pop culture today. This is what I would endearingly call “The 90’s kid movement." Mixed with flashbacks to Nickelodeon cartoons, Disney shows that lasted through the millennium, and a number of childhood toys and accessories, this movement can be seen as an attempt for a generation to make a statement to it’s existence. One can find numerous articles on the Internet named “15 Signs You Are a 90’s Kid” or “How to Know if You Grew Up in the 90s." This trend has crept up as ‘90’s kids’ have reached their late teens and early twenties, an age where one must find their true identity.
This phenomenon is especially intriguing because it focuses more on the material and pop culture artefacts of the era than of the history of the decade itself. Furthermore, one could call this new attempt to establish an identity by millennials one that is premature. For example, The ‘Flower Children’ of the 1960's were those who were already in their late teens and twenties when the sexual and cultural revolution of the era occurred. The identification of their generation exists as a reminiscent aspect of their young adulthood, with focuses on the political movements of Vietnam, protests for peace, and the influence of music on the decade. Other generational identifiers such as the ‘lost generation,’ the ‘beat generation’ and the ‘baby-boomer generation’ also follow the trend of recalling their past young adult lives.
Two conclusions can be made about this phenomenon of "the 90’s kid." Though formally called the y generation, or the millennial generation, the term ‘90’s kid’ gives a warmer and more inviting expression to the new generation. It is possible that us ‘90’s kids’ are attempting to create our own identity together rather than as individuals going through young adulthood. We are also the first generation to be so closely connected, growing up with the advent of the internet, instant messaging, texting and other forms of mass communication. Due to this close connection, it is also possible that we feel lost amongst the millions of those present in the digital world, and therefore we must make a name for ourselves. Either way, the 90’s kid generation is a force to be reckoned with, and will continue to add to history until the next generation comes along.
