The 90s Research Paper

Some believe the 90s was the last great decade of all time, and claim the music, movies, dance and fashion were the best of any era. The rise of multiculturalism and new media well describes the decade’s new ways, which continued into the 2000s. Grunge, rave culture and hip hop had spread widely among the young people of the era. With new technology such as cable television and internet, new trends in entertainment, music, and fashion widely spread.
TV programming was one of the first successes in the 90s, and saw a large boom at the end of the decade (Monaghan, Erin). New shows such as Friends, Rugrats, The Simpsons, and many more aired during this time. Still viewed today, these shows became highly popular among all ages. The 90s was a time for new and improved content in the entertainment industry. Television programs began to display violence and sex more frequently, which became an issue for social scientists, parents, and politicians. For this reason, in 1996 the television industry began to put ratings on all programs, which are used to indicate the recommended age groups for

viewers. Examples of these ratings include: TV-G, for general audiences, TV-PG, for parental guidance suggested, TV-14, meaning unsuitable for children under 14 years of age, and TV-MA, for mature audiences only. Most of the networks also agreed to add “V”, for violence, “S”, for sex, “L”, for foul language, and “D”, for suggestive dialogue as well (Stephens, Mitchell).
Music culture also greatly expanded in the 90s.

New bands and artists filled the decade, and included a variety of genres. Techno, also known as dance music, was included in these. Hip hop was another new style, who artists such as MC Hammer, Tone Loc and Vanilla Ice made popular. Because of bands such as Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, a new type of rock music also gained attention. Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera were popular singers of the 90s, and flourished in the pop music genre. Unlike past artists, new performers became more sexual in the lyrics they sang, which not everyone approved of ("Music Played in the 1990's Popular Music From the 90s."). Dances such as the Electric Slide, Macarena, and The Hammer are examples of new dance trends, which developed in the 90s (Ezuma, Tiffany). These dances are unique to the era, and positively added to the new music

styles.
In addition to the music, 90s fashion also evolved. Some aimed for the popular grunge look, while others dressed the exact opposite (Phipps, Paul.). Common clothing often included flannels, overalls with one strap undone, and wide-legged Jnco jeans. Baggy and colorful clothing became a new trend, and was highly popular. However, clothes were not the only item changing, hairstyles also evolved. Males tended to bleach the tips of their hair, creating the “frosted tips” trend. On the other hand, females began crimping their hair. Because of a character off a popular 90s TV show, “The Rachel” haircut also became popular. Nonetheless, there are many more style changes that have originated from this the 90s.
Television, music and fashion evolved to create a new culture in the 90s. Nevertheless, there was a lot more expanding in the decade than just those three categories. New candy and food were becoming common among society. Ring pops, bubble gum and pop rocks fascinated the 90s generation of children. Soda such as Crystal Pepsi or Vanilla Coke were also a popular beverage of the time. In conclusion, all of these reasons may explain why some consider the 1990s the best of the decades.