Zachary Stanford
Soc 100
Sociological Autobiography Paper

I was born on May 16th 1989. There was a lot of change and progression taking place in America around the time of my birth. I was born and raised in a small town in eastern Tennessee. Growing up in a larger than average family consisting of 3 brothers and 1 sister times at home could get very hectic! I lived a very middle class lifestyle as a result of both my parents working 40 plus hours weekly. This was something that was quite unusual coming from a small southern town. I grew up in a place where woman working a full time position to support their family was unheard of. In the south during this time, it was assumed that the male of the household would be the bread winner or provider in each household. The women would play a very important role in maintaining a stable home life. To promote a stable living during this time, a positive economy was a must. The year that I was born just so happened to be an election year and the country was in the heart of a changing time especially due to a new decade approaching and American’s wanting change.

George H. W. Bush was inaugurated on January 20, 1989, succeeding Ronald Reagan. He entered office at a period of change in the world; the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of Soviet Union came early in his presidency. He ordered military operations in Panama and the Persian Gulf, at one point, Bush was recorded as having a record-high approval rating of 89 percent. Early in his term, Bush faced the problem of what to do with leftover deficits spawned by the Reagan years. At $220 billion in 1990, the deficit had grown to three times its size since 1980. Which to this day we still have not fully recovered from. Had Bush not entered into his presidential position with so many millions of dollars in debt, I believe its quite possible that he would have been reelected in 1992 because he wouldn’t have been disliked so greatly for breaking his word and promise to America to not raise taxes during his term in office.

The Persian Gulf Was also known as operation Desert Storm, was initiated on January 17th 1991. This was a very emotional time for not only my family but also the American people. President George H. W. Bush deployed U.S. forces into Saudi Arabia, and also urged other countries to send their own forces to the scene. An array of nations joined the Coalition. Being that I was from a big southern family, being a member in the US Military was deemed very respectable. I recall having several family members that were deployed during operation Desert Storm. It was a tough time at home for my parents knowing that close family that was loved and trusted was out in foreign hostel countries defending us.

I remember in my earlier days during elementary school, global warming was being introduced as a sensitive topic in regards to our health and future. During this time emission testing was starting to be introduced and government testing on new vehicles was becoming more strict. An emission test cycle is a protocol contained in an emission standard to allow repeatable and comparable measurement of exhaust emissions for different engines or vehicles. Test cycles specify the specific conditions under which the engine or vehicle is operated during the emission test.

In the early 1990s, music was being looked at as an escape for many people. Hip hop and rap music was really starting to progress and expand out and getting a lot of peoples attention. I can remember in elementary school the deaths of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. This was all at the height of musical success. This was a low point for American rap music. Everyone was crushed and was in disbelief. Rap battles began to surface ranging from the east to the west coast. Music during this time period would be considered revolutionary because it was building blocks to what we hear now days on the radio. Music artist like Kurt Kohbain, Janet Jackson, and Mariah Carey have set a strong example for newer artist entering the competition.

Another strong topic in the media that was taking place in the early 90’s was the use of drugs, a poll was taken and 34% of Americans admitted to having tried marijuana. Drug use was on the rise and was completely out of control. Being that I had older siblings my parents always stressed their beliefs. Growing up in a strong southern Baptist family, drugs were always frowned upon and never allowed in the household. There was tons of drug research done by many scientist and laboratories linking heavy drug use with long term memory loss and heart failure. Many famous musicians in the 90’s were linked to the rise of drug use. I can remember in elementary school sitting in class and hearing about the famous Kurt Kohbain dying from an overdose. Many people were shocked and devastated that another musical icon has yet again died, but there were still many people who had the mindset that it could never happen to them. I feel as though the 1990s will always have strong impact in America and also my life because there were so many historical events that took place. To this day many of the problems that were introduced in the 90’s still have an impact on our day to day living. We are still dealing with global warming and the war on terrorism is still in effect. Our country still has not successfully recovered fully from our huge deficit that has been dragging along since the Reagan administration. Although the economy has improved over the years, we still have major debt that needs to be resolved. This has had a major effect on me and my political views. This type of ongoing situation makes me nervous about my future and the future of any kids I have. Knowing that one day they may possibly be responsible for the actions that took place 20 years ago. I feel that the 90’s have had the greatest impact on my life.

My childhood plays a very important role in my day to day life both mentally and spiritually. I feel as though my ascribed status at birth truly made me who I am till this day. Being born in the late 80’s was a very important time in history and living the so called American dream was expressed from all 50 states. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I had grew up in another decade. I guess this will always be a question that will always be in the back of my mind.