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Life in the 1980s

Life in the 1980s. Economic Growth Retail and Technology Revolutions Social Problems Rise of Activism. Economic Growth. Yuppies: Young, urban, professionals Effect of baby boomers Graduating college Entering workforce Emphasis on getting ahead Growth benefited upper and middle classes

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Life in the 1980s

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  1. Life in the 1980s Economic Growth Retail and Technology Revolutions Social Problems Rise of Activism

  2. Economic Growth • Yuppies: Young, urban, professionals • Effect of baby boomers • Graduating college • Entering workforce • Emphasis on getting ahead • Growth benefited upper and middle classes • 1967 to 1986: Top 5% of Americans had between 15.6% and 17.5% of all wealth • By mid-1990s, over 21%

  3. Retail Revolution • Discount retailing • Selling large quantities of goods at very low prices • Attempting to sell goods quickly to turn over inventory • Idea of selling a lot of goods at little profit would make more money than selling fewer products at higher prices

  4. The Wal-Mart Effect • System of distribution centers to enhance re-supplying his stores • Computer database to track inventory and sales • Others copied idea of “superstores”

  5. Media Revolution • Ted Turner creates WTBS in 1975 • First superstation that sells low-cost sports/entertainment via satellite to cable companies nationally • Results in creation of ESPN, HBO, CNN (founded by Turner as well), MTV • Robert Johnson creates Black Entertainment Television (BET) • Grew up poor, convinced TV could promotes business and culture for African-Americans • MTV paved way for rise of rap music, which originated in the Bronx and focused on rhythmic beats and African-American inner-city experiences

  6. Other Media Changes • Sony Walkman • VCRS • Video Games

  7. Social Problems • Despite economic gains, the US had many problems including drug usage, crime, disease, poverty, and homelessness • Drug use spreading to all areas and ages • Effects on crime rates • New Jersey v. T.L.O: school has right to search without a warrant if it had probable cause • Vernonia School District v. Acton: Random drug tests do not violate rights

  8. Social Problems (continued) • Drunk driving and drinking • Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) founded in 1980 to stop underage drinking • 1984: Congress cuts highway funding to any state that does not have a legal drinking age of 21 • All states complied within 4 years • Why?

  9. AIDS Epidemic • 1981: researchers identify AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) • Weakened immune system • HIV: Virus that causes aids • Between 1981 and 1988 the CDC identified over 100,000 cases in the US alone

  10. Activism Rises • Stonewall Riot marks beginning of the gay activist movement • Police raided Stonewall Inn in NYC due to sexual orientation of the patrons (not uncommon practice for police raids at this time) • Led to creation of Gay Liberation Front and other groups whose primary goal was to increase tolerance • Led protests, marches, etc.

  11. 1984: Irish rocker Bob Geldof organized “Band Aid” to help starving people in Ethiopia • Following year evolved into Live Aid • “We Are The World” • Led to Willie Nelson organizing “Farm Aid” to help American farmers and musicians promoting the end of Apartheid in South Africa

  12. Senior Citizens in Politics • Medicinal Improvements=Longer Life Expectancy • Declining Birthrate—younger population comparatively smaller • Social Security benefits creating budget pressures • Seniors needed a voice in politics to avoid cuts to Social Security and Medicare, so the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) was founded in 1958.

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