Life in the 1980s

Economic GrowthRetail and Technology RevolutionsSocial ProblemsRise of ActivismLife in the 1980sEconomic GrowthYuppies: Young, urban, professionals

Effect of baby boomersGraduating collegeEntering workforceEmphasis on getting ahead

Growth benefited upper and middle classes1967 to 1986: Top 5% of Americans had between 15.6% and 17.5% of all wealthBy mid-1990s, over 21%Retail RevolutionDiscount retailingSelling large quantities of goods at very low pricesAttempting 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

The Wal-Mart EffectSystem of distribution centers to enhance re-supplying his stores

Computer database to track inventory and sales

Others copied idea of superstores

Media RevolutionTed Turner creates WTBS in 1975First superstation that sells low-cost sports/entertainment via satellite to cable companies nationallyResults 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

Other Media ChangesSony Walkman

VCRS

Video Games

Social ProblemsDespite economic gains, the US had many problems including drug usage, crime, disease, poverty, and homelessness

Drug use spreading to all areas and agesEffects on crime ratesNew Jersey v. T.L.O: school has right to search without a warrant if it had probable causeVernonia School District v. Acton: Random drug tests do not violate rightsSocial 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?

AIDS Epidemic1981: researchers identify AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)Weakened immune systemHIV: Virus that causes aids

Between 1981 and 1988 the CDC identified over 100,000 cases in the US aloneActivism RisesStonewall Riot marks beginning of the gay activist movementPolice 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 toleranceLed protests, marches, etc.

1984: Irish rocker Bob Geldof organized Band Aid to help starving people in EthiopiaFollowing year evolved into Live AidWe Are The WorldLed to Willie Nelson organizing Farm Aid to help American farmers and musicians promoting the end of Apartheid in South Africa

Senior Citizens in PoliticsMedicinal Improvements=Longer Life Expectancy

Declining Birthrateyounger 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.