Why 90s Kids Believe 1994 Babies Forget the 90s: Gatekeeping or Misunderstanding?

It's a common assertion among 90s kids that people born in 1994 have a limited understanding of the 90s. This belief is often rooted in a mix of psychological development, cultural context, and generational differences. In reality, it is a mix of both psychology and cultural context, often perpetuated by individuals with a strong sense of nostalgia and a desire to gatekeep a particular era.

Age and Memory Formation

The first reason for this belief is rooted in the development of long-term memory. Psychologists and pediatricians have noted that most children start forming long-term memories around the age of 3 or 4. For someone born in 1994, their last year of the decade means they would only be 5 years old at the end of 1999. This age is too young to form clear and detailed memories of the 90s. Hence, their memories of the era would likely be very limited and even incomplete.

Cultural References

The 90s are often associated with specific cultural trends and phenomena, such as TV shows, music, and major events. However, for someone born in 1994, they likely wouldn't have had the cognitive skills necessary to fully engage with and remember these cultural touchpoints in a meaningful way. The complexity and nuance of these cultural phenomena often require a higher level of cognitive development, which 5-year-olds might not possess.

Nostalgia and Shared Experience

Many 90s kids fondly reflect on shared experiences during this era, often leading to a sense of nostalgia. They might feel that someone born in 1994 missed out on significant aspects of growing up during the 90s, such as popular music, TV shows, and social experiences. This sentiment is exacerbated by the idea of gatekeeping, where these individuals may want to emphasize the uniqueness and importance of the 90s to their own childhood experiences.

Generational Differences

Finally, there is a clear distinction between individuals born in 1994 and the preceding generation, such as Millennials. Those born in 1994 are often considered part of Generation Z, a group that experienced different cultural and technological developments. This generational shift means that they have different touchstones and shared experiences, contributing to a divergent perspective on the 90s.

Counterarguments and Personal Insights

However, it is important to note that the belief that 1994 babies have no recollection of the 90s is not entirely accurate. Most children born in 1994 would have their first memory around 1997-1998, which is firmly within the 90s. The distinction is more about the quality and detail of those memories rather than their absence. Even the end of the decade didn't mark an abrupt end to the 90s culture.

I was born in 1993 and can hardly remember anything from the 90s. My earliest memories are from the tail end of the decade and those few years that filtered into the new millennium. One of the only clear memories is of my childlike innocence, a blissful and unaware world, which contrasted sharply with the harsh reality of conflict and interpersonal issues that became more prevalent as I entered my teenage years.

While the 90s culture was still prevalent in 1999 and 2000, it's not accurate to say that the culture was completely transformed at midnight on New Year's Eve. Indeed, the transition into the 2000s was more significant in terms of technology and societal norms rather than cultural shifts.

Conclusion

In essence, the belief that 90s kids have a clearer understanding of the 90s than 1994 babies is a mix of developmental psychology and cultural context. It is also a reflection of the desire among 90s kids to gatekeep a particular era of their youth. While 1994 babies might not have detailed memories, they are not devoid of any recollections from the 90s culture.