These People's Parents Used To Be Super Cool Back In The Day, And They Have Photo Proof Of It

If you think that one of your parents is cool, you're about to be disappointed.

Damjan

Published in Interesting
16 Mar 2021

These People's Parents Used To Be Super Cool Back In The Day, And They Have Photo Proof Of It

There's nothing cooler than old-school swagger, which is why there's a whole subreddit called r/OldSchoolCool that is strictly dedicated to such photos. Reddit users have been posting some of the coolest vintage pictures of their parents from when they used to (or potentially still are) be super cool.

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Some of them have raised the bar way too high, and there's no way that anyone could compete with their submissions. However, it's still cool to see all the different pictures that these people were nice enough to share with us. Scroll down and check them out; you won't regret it!

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1. "My Mama Circa '83. This Explains Why I'm The Uncoolest Person Ever, Because She Took It All! Oh, And That Bike? She Built It"

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2. "Mid to Late 1970s, My Dad Graduating a Class Taught By Chuck Norris"

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3. "My Dad Taking a Selfie, Using a Piece of Wood to Activate the Shutter, Circa 1957"

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The Nostalgia Factor

Nostalgia plays a significant role in how we perceive our past, particularly regarding our parents. Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology indicates that nostalgia can lead to increased feelings of warmth and affection toward our loved ones. This phenomenon can distort our memories, often leading us to idealize our parents' past behaviors.

This tendency to romanticize the past can create unrealistic expectations of ourselves and our relationships. Understanding this psychological process can help individuals navigate their feelings and foster healthier connections.

4. "My Mom at 16 Years Old with Her Camaro in 1975"

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5. "My Mom and Dad Building Their House in 1953. My Mom (91 Now) Still Lives There"

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6. "My Dad Skateboarding at Hyde School 1982. I Think He Was Cooler Than Me"

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Moreover, social psychologists have found that comparing our current selves to an idealized version of our parents can lead to feelings of inadequacy. According to studies, this comparison can trigger self-doubt and diminish self-esteem. Recognizing these patterns is essential for fostering self-compassion and understanding that everyone evolves over time.

Engaging in conversations about shared memories can help mitigate these feelings, allowing individuals to appreciate their parents' complexities and imperfections.

7. "My Dad in Saudi Arabia in the '70s Working as a U.S. Military Contractor Diving in the Red Sea"

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8. "My Dad's First Car, a 1939 Ford. He Bought It with His Own Money That He Earned While Farming. He Was 11 When He Bought It, So This Photo Was Taken in 1948"

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9. "France, 1985. My Mom Feeding Me Backstage During a Ballet Dancing Show"

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The Influence of Generational Gaps

Generational differences can lead to varying perspectives on parenting styles and life choices. Research from the Pew Research Center indicates that cultural shifts often result in differing values between generations. This can create a disconnect between parents and their children, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts.

Understanding these differences can foster empathy, allowing individuals to appreciate their parents' choices within the context of their own experiences and societal changes.

10. "Mom Wasn't the Pilot, But She Was a Tech on the F-4 Phantom Back in the '80s"

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11. "My Mom, 1954. She Came to America in 1948 at Age 18. She Hardly Spoke English and Was Looked Down On Because She Was German and a War Bride. She Later Did Some Modeling - This Is Just One of Many Beautiful Photos We Have of Her"

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12. "My Dad Was a Popstar in Argentina. Here He Is with Ella Fitzgerald, Mid-1960s"

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Practical Strategies for Bridging Generational Gaps

To enhance communication between generations, it’s crucial to approach conversations with an open mind and a willingness to listen. Engaging in active listening can help individuals understand their parents' perspectives, fostering a sense of connection. Additionally, sharing personal experiences can create a mutual understanding of generational differences.

Family therapy or facilitated discussions can also provide a safe space for exploring these dynamics, helping to bridge gaps and promote healing.

13. "My Dad and a Tiny Kitten Looking Like a Modern Hipster in the Early 1980s"

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14. "My Mother Skateboarding Barefoot in California, 1974"

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15. "My Dad and Friends Look Like the Cast of Stranger Things (1982)"

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16. "My Dad's Graduation Photo. Circa 1970s"

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17. "My Dad and His Partner While They Were Undercover. This Picture Was Taken After They Stopped a Bank Robbery in the Late '70s"

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18. "I Always Knew My Mom Was a Tough Lady. Photo Taken Circa 1985"

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19. "My Mom Would Always Talk About How She Was an Editor for Tiger Beat Magazine When She Was a Teenager in the 1960s. She Would Brag About Spending Time with the Stones and the Beatles. We Always Thought She Was Telling Tall Tales. I Uncovered This Pic While Cleaning Out Her House Last Week"

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20. "Me Looking Up to My Fighter Pilot Dad in the Late 1980s"

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21. "My Mom's All-Girl Rock Band in the '60s"

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22. "My Mom at 18 Years Old Protesting the KKK in 1976 Atlanta, GA"

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23. "My Dad (Left) Looking Like a Young Luke Skywalker, Chile, 1977"

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24. "My Dad Sculpting a Bust of My Mom, 1980s"

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25. "My Dad Made Anything Look Cool (1981)"

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26. "My Mom and Bob Ross During an Event in Central Park, NYC in 1989"

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27. "Mom, Circa 1970, After Completing Her Master's, the First Woman in Her Family to Do So"

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28. "My Mom and Arnold on a Date in the '70s"

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29. "My Mom Immigrated to the U.S. from Iran in November 1978. Here She Is Dressed as Wonder Woman a Year Later"

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30. "My Mom Was a Boston Park Ranger in the '80s"

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31. "My Dad at the 1966 International Science Fair. He Was a Finalist in '65, '66, and '67. In This Picture, He Created a Perfusion System to Keep a Rat Kidney Alive When Removed from the Body, Like a Heart-Lung Machine"

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32. "My Cool Mom Partying with Robin Williams and Billy Crystal in LA, 1982"

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33. "My Dad Showing Mr. Rogers the Process of Designing Toys on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (1986)"

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34. "Late 1960s, My Dad"

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35. "My Mom in '78, Glendale, CA. Newly Immigrated from Japan and Working Her Butt Off - But Still Managed to Save Up and Buy This Chevy Impala for $500"

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36. "My Dad Taking a Smoking Break While Fighting Saddam Hussein's Army in the '80s"

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37. "Mom’s Senior Portrait That My Grandma Refused to Let Her Publish in the Yearbook (1976)"

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38. "My Pregnant Mom at Gunpoint Trying to Get Home. May 1969, Berkeley"

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39. "My Mother When She Was a Tank Instructor in 1984"

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40. "Found This Old Picture of My Dad from Back in 1976. I Feel Like the Picture Captures an Awful Lot and Tells a Story"

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41. "After Their First Fight, My Dad Apologized to My Mom Through Polaroids. The True OG of Apologies, My Man (1987)"

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42. "My Mom Voting for the First Time in a Presidential Election in 1972 in Indiana, PA"

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43. "My Mom Working as a DJ, Late 1970s"

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44. "My Mom Looking Like a Queen on Her Wedding Day 1979"

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45. "My Mom in the Early '90s. She Painted Her Own Shield"

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46. "My Parents When They Were 16 and 17 (1987). They’ve Been Together for 34 Years Now"

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47. "My Dad 1969 Bronx, NY. Speaking Against the Vietnam War"

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48. "48 Beers and a Unicycle. My Dad in the Early '80s"

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49. "My Dad in the Late '80s / Early '90s. One of the First Rockers in China"

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50. "My Dad Wasn't Famous, But His Moves Were Pretty Cool (1977)"

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Psychological Analysis

The tendency to idealize our parents often stems from our desire for connection and understanding. Recognizing this pattern is crucial for fostering healthier relationships with them, as it allows us to appreciate their complexities. Open communication about shared memories can enhance our understanding and acceptance of our parents as multifaceted individuals.

Analysis generated by AI

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

Reflecting on our parents' past can evoke a range of emotions, from warmth to confusion. Understanding the psychological mechanisms at play can help individuals navigate their feelings and foster healthier relationships. By embracing open dialogue and empathy, we can bridge generational divides and create deeper connections.

1. "My Mama Circa '83. This Explains Why I'm The Uncoolest Person Ever, Because She Took It All! Oh, And That Bike? She Built It"

2. "Mid to Late 1970s, My Dad Graduating a Class Taught By Chuck Norris"

3. "My Dad Taking a Selfie, Using a Piece of Wood to Activate the Shutter, Circa 1957"

The Nostalgia Factor

4. "My Mom at 16 Years Old with Her Camaro in 1975"

5. "My Mom and Dad Building Their House in 1953. My Mom (91 Now) Still Lives There"

6. "My Dad Skateboarding at Hyde School 1982. I Think He Was Cooler Than Me"

7. "My Dad in Saudi Arabia in the '70s Working as a U.S. Military Contractor Diving in the Red Sea"

8. "My Dad's First Car, a 1939 Ford. He Bought It with His Own Money That He Earned While Farming. He Was 11 When He Bought It, So This Photo Was Taken in 1948"

9. "France, 1985. My Mom Feeding Me Backstage During a Ballet Dancing Show"

The Influence of Generational Gaps

10. "Mom Wasn't the Pilot, But She Was a Tech on the F-4 Phantom Back in the '80s"

11. "My Mom, 1954. She Came to America in 1948 at Age 18. She Hardly Spoke English and Was Looked Down On Because She Was German and a War Bride. She Later Did Some Modeling - This Is Just One of Many Beautiful Photos We Have of Her"

12. "My Dad Was a Popstar in Argentina. Here He Is with Ella Fitzgerald, Mid-1960s"

Practical Strategies for Bridging Generational Gaps

13. "My Dad and a Tiny Kitten Looking Like a Modern Hipster in the Early 1980s"

14. "My Mother Skateboarding Barefoot in California, 1974"

15. "My Dad and Friends Look Like the Cast of Stranger Things (1982)"

16. "My Dad's Graduation Photo. Circa 1970s"

17. "My Dad and His Partner While They Were Undercover. This Picture Was Taken After They Stopped a Bank Robbery in the Late '70s"

18. "I Always Knew My Mom Was a Tough Lady. Photo Taken Circa 1985"

19. "My Mom Would Always Talk About How She Was an Editor for Tiger Beat Magazine When She Was a Teenager in the 1960s. She Would Brag About Spending Time with the Stones and the Beatles. We Always Thought She Was Telling Tall Tales. I Uncovered This Pic While Cleaning Out Her House Last Week"

20. "Me Looking Up to My Fighter Pilot Dad in the Late 1980s"

21. "My Mom's All-Girl Rock Band in the '60s"

22. "My Mom at 18 Years Old Protesting the KKK in 1976 Atlanta, GA"

23. "My Dad (Left) Looking Like a Young Luke Skywalker, Chile, 1977"

24. "My Dad Sculpting a Bust of My Mom, 1980s"

25. "My Dad Made Anything Look Cool (1981)"

26. "My Mom and Bob Ross During an Event in Central Park, NYC in 1989"

27. "Mom, Circa 1970, After Completing Her Master's, the First Woman in Her Family to Do So"

28. "My Mom and Arnold on a Date in the '70s"

29. "My Mom Immigrated to the U.S. from Iran in November 1978. Here She Is Dressed as Wonder Woman a Year Later"

30. "My Mom Was a Boston Park Ranger in the '80s"

31. "My Dad at the 1966 International Science Fair. He Was a Finalist in '65, '66, and '67. In This Picture, He Created a Perfusion System to Keep a Rat Kidney Alive When Removed from the Body, Like a Heart-Lung Machine"

32. "My Cool Mom Partying with Robin Williams and Billy Crystal in LA, 1982"

33. "My Dad Showing Mr. Rogers the Process of Designing Toys on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (1986)"

34. "Late 1960s, My Dad"

35. "My Mom in '78, Glendale, CA. Newly Immigrated from Japan and Working Her Butt Off - But Still Managed to Save Up and Buy This Chevy Impala for $500"

36. "My Dad Taking a Smoking Break While Fighting Saddam Hussein's Army in the '80s"

37. "Mom’s Senior Portrait That My Grandma Refused to Let Her Publish in the Yearbook (1976)"

38. "My Pregnant Mom at Gunpoint Trying to Get Home. May 1969, Berkeley"

39. "My Mother When She Was a Tank Instructor in 1984"

40. "Found This Old Picture of My Dad from Back in 1976. I Feel Like the Picture Captures an Awful Lot and Tells a Story"

41. "After Their First Fight, My Dad Apologized to My Mom Through Polaroids. The True OG of Apologies, My Man (1987)"

42. "My Mom Voting for the First Time in a Presidential Election in 1972 in Indiana, PA"

43. "My Mom Working as a DJ, Late 1970s"

44. "My Mom Looking Like a Queen on Her Wedding Day 1979"

45. "My Mom in the Early '90s. She Painted Her Own Shield"

46. "My Parents When They Were 16 and 17 (1987). They’ve Been Together for 34 Years Now"

47. "My Dad 1969 Bronx, NY. Speaking Against the Vietnam War"

48. "48 Beers and a Unicycle. My Dad in the Early '80s"

49. "My Dad in the Late '80s / Early '90s. One of the First Rockers in China"

50. "My Dad Wasn't Famous, But His Moves Were Pretty Cool (1977)"

Psychological Analysis

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

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