The Appearance of Past Generations: A Comparative Analysis

Is it me, or do people from earlier decades look older than their actual age? This question has often sparked debates, with varying opinions on the matter. While it's true that the 90s might seem like younger times compared to the 80s, there are several factors to consider.

Longevity and Healthcare Advancements

Firstly, people born in the 90s generally live longer and healthier lives compared to those from previous generations. Advances in medical technology and healthcare have significantly improved life expectancy, leading to a more youthful appearance for those from the 90s.

Longevity Enhancing Factors:

Improved medical care and treatment methods Healthier lifestyle choices such as regular exercise and balanced diets Reduced smoking rates and better overall health awareness

Health-Conscious Living

The 90s generation is more health-conscious, which is reflected in their lifestyle choices. Regular exercise, balanced diets, and reduced smoking rates contribute to a more youthful appearance as they age. This is particularly evident in individuals born in the 90s, such as myself. At 34, people often mistake me for someone much younger.

Visual Evidence and Photography

Stiff and Artificial Poses:

In earlier decades, visual documentation such as photographs often resulted in stiff and artificial poses. This was due to several factors:

Chemically treated metal plates were used for photography, requiring subjects to maintain absolute stillness The slow speed of photographic film meant lenses had to stay open for a longer period, further emphasizing the need for stillness

This resulted in a look of stiffness, which gave an impression of older age, even when subjects were younger.

Lifestyle and Dental Practices

Additionally, lifestyle and dental practices in the past contributed to a different appearance. In many families, children started taking on responsibilities at a young age, and frequent illnesses were common. Long hours of physical labor and harsh weather conditions also aged people faster.

Common Dental Practices:

Pulling of teeth was common, without the use of braces to straighten teeth Crooked and gapped teeth were more common, leading to less open-mouthed portraits

Furthermore, the belief in a stringent moral code and the fear of divine judgment often led to serious expressions in photographs and artwork, adding to the impression of older age seen in portraits from earlier times.

Comparative Analysis

While people from the 80s and earlier generations may have faced more frequent health issues and harsher living conditions, modern advancements in healthcare and lifestyle choices have contributed to a more youthful appearance for those from the 90s.

Conclusion: The 80s generation tends to look older than their age due to several factors, including lifestyle and dental practices. In contrast, the 90s generation is characterized by a more youthful appearance, thanks to improved health and longevity.