The Enduring Appeal of the 1980s

By: Celia Moller 

The 1980s were a decade of technological breakthroughs, neon colors, amazing music and ofcourse, big hair. It was a time of some of the greatest pop culture icons, from Madonna toMichael Jackson. This was also a time of movies like Back to the Future and The PrincessBride. Despite being more than 30 years ago, the 80s continues to have an enduring appeal,with people of all ages and backgrounds still loving this decade.Of course, one reason for the 80s’ continued popularity is the factor of nostalgia for peoplewho were teenagers or young adults during this time. For many people, the 80s was a time ofcarefree fun and freedom. It was an era before smartphones and social media (not even emailexisted!). To communicate people had to talk to each other face-to-face or on the phone. Theincredible music, movies, and fashion of the 80s are still beloved by many, and the decade isoften romanticized in today’s pop culture.However, it isn’t just older generations who lived in the 80s and appreciate this time. Youngpeople, like myself, are also in love with this decade and the pop culture. Perhaps it’s becauseI didn’t actually live through it, so it seems like a fascinating time period. Or maybe it’sbecause of the fact that the 80s have become so ingrained in today’s pop culture that it’seasy to be influenced by it. In any case, even though I wasn’t around for it, I imagine that the80s were a magical era to be a part of. From its iconic pop culture to its comparatively low-tech environment, a simpler time like that would have been wonderful to experience.Therefore, I can say that the 80s truly do continue to captivate us. Many of us love the brightcolors, the bold patterns, and the over-the-top fashion and hair. The songs and movies fromthe 80s still inspire us and are very popular. While the 80s may be gone for more than threedecades, this time period truly continues to live on in many of our hearts, including mine.—–Written by Celia Møller