The 2000s was a time of great change, and
fully experiencing the decade meant embracing new technologies. What were some of these changes? How was life different than in previous decades? In the 1990s, the American family began to
look very different from the traditional model of a father, mother, and two children. This trend continued in the 2000s, as more
and more single-parent families emerged. Also, as parents divorced and remarried, many
children found themselves with parents and step-parents. Young adults began delaying marriage until
later in life. In 2000, 31% of women between the ages 20-24
were already married. By 2010, only 19% of women in the same age
demographic were married. Also, many young adults began choosing to
stay at home and delay “living on their own” until later in life. By the end of the decade, approximately 30%
of young American adults between the ages of 18-34 were still living with their parents. The decision for young adults to remain at
home was due, in part, to the turbulent financial climate of the 2000s. Both income and housing prices fluctuated
throughout the decade. For example, in 2000, the average income was
$42,350, but by the end of the decade, the average income was only about $39,400. Meanwhile, the price of a new home in 2000
was $136,150, yet, by 2007, this amount had skyrocketed to $313,600. By 2010, the price of a new home had lowered
slightly to $272,900. The prices of other items were also inconsistent. In 2000, the price of a gallon of gasoline
was $1.26. By 2008, gas prices had reached $3.39 a gallon,
but by 2010, the price had once again fallen to $2.73. The prices of automobiles were slightly more
stable throughout the decade. A new car cost $24,750 at the beginning of
the decade and averaged about $27,950 by 2010. Of course, the prices of all items would have
varied based on brand name, make, model, and region of the country. The Internet revolutionized American lives
in the 2000s. Most Americans had received their first glimpse
of the Internet in the 1990s, but it was in the 2000s when the true impact of the new
technology began to be understood. Average American families began shopping online,
listening to music online, watching television shows and movies online, and even meeting
potential dating partners online. Electronic mail, or E-mail, made written communication
instantaneous, and social networking websites allowed people to remain connected and experience
the lives of “friends” like never before. Regardless of what one was interested in,
they could now connect with thousands of others who shared similar interests, whether it be
independent films, online gaming, fan fiction, or a local band. The cell phone also had a significant impact
on American lives. While “mobile phones” had been in existence
since the early 1980s, the devices did not become practical and affordable until the
late 1990s. Throughout the decade of the 2000s, they became
increasingly commonplace. In 2000, just under 30% of Americans had a
cell phone, but by 2010, approximately 85% of Americans owned one. In other areas of the life, some American
families started to become more health conscious. Counting calories and checking the ingredients
in food products became increasingly common. As a result, many American consumers began
buying organic groceries. This meant attempting to purchase food that
had been produced more naturally, without the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers,
or genetic engineering. Some Americans also became more environmentally-conscious
during the 2000s. Many cities enacted recycling programs and
schools placed more emphasis on environmental concerns. From driving a more fuel-efficient vehicle
to purchasing environmentally friendly light bulbs and reusable shopping bags, many Americans
began making increased efforts to protect the environment. Americans have always loved to travel, and
the 2000s were no exception. However, following the terrorist attacks on
September 11th, 2001, airline travel in America became increasingly difficult. New security measures required passengers
to pass through metal detectors, have bags searched, and potentially be patted down by
security officials before entering airports and airplanes. This had a significant impact on American
lives, since travelers now had to arrive at airports hours before their flights and family
members could no longer greet weary travelers directly off of the airplane. Despite the emergence of the Internet, television
remained the dominant form of entertainment in the 2000s. The most popular program of the decade was
American Idol, a singing competition in which amateur performers were judged by celebrities. American Idol assumed the top spot in the
ratings in 2005 and remained there for the rest of the decade. Another competition-based program, Dancing
With the Stars, also proved very popular throughout the latter half of the decade. Reality television became one of the staples
of American TV throughout the 2000s. Originally made popular by MTV’s The Real
World in the 1990s, many other programs mimicked the show’s style in the 2000s. Big Brother, Survivor, and The Bachelor were
amongst the most popular reality TV series. More traditional programs remained popular
as well. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Lost, Grey’s
Anatomy, and Desperate Housewives were amongst the most popular hour-long dramas. Everybody Loves Raymond, Will & Grace, and
Two and a Half Men were amongst the most popular sitcoms. At the theater, American audiences fell in
love with superheroes. Batman Begins, Spiderman, and Iron Man were
just a few of the comic book themed movies that people flocked to see. The Lord of the Rings trilogy proved to be
a huge box office success while garnering seventeen Academy Awards. Animated films such as Monsters Inc., Finding
Nemo, and The Incredibles entertained young audiences. Americans continued their love affair with
professional sports in the 2000s. The National Football League (NFL) produced
many outstanding players during the decade. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots played
in four Super Bowls, winning three championships. Peyton Manning was named the league MVP four
times throughout the decade (an award he won five times during his career). Kobe Bryant was the dominant player in the
National Basketball Association. Bryant won four NBA championships and was
selected to the All-Star team each year of the decade. Lebron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan,
and Kevin Garnett were also phenomenal players. Albert Pujols took Major League Baseball by
storm, hitting 37 home runs in his first season and winning the National League Rookie of
the Year award in 2001. Pujols would go on to be a nine time all-star
and hit more than 600 home runs in his career. Ichiro Suzuki also made his Major League debut
in 2001. He became the first Japanese position player
to excel in Major League Baseball. Ichiro played in ten MLB All-Star games and
won ten Gold Glove awards throughout the rest of the decade. Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds were also dominant
players during the era. However, their careers were marred by accusations
of using performance-enhancing drugs, such as steroids or human growth hormones. In music, the most successful artists at the
beginning of the decade were pop stars such as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Eminem and Usher also had sustained success
throughout the decade. Groups such as Fallout Boy and Blink-182 were
popular. In country music, American Idol winner Carrie
Underwood became a sensation, while Toby Keith and Kenny Chesney continued successful careers
that began in the 1990s. It should be remembered that not everyone
experienced the 2000s in the same way. These were just a few of the broad trends
that were predominant throughout the decade. Each family and each individual had a unique
situation, with their own stories, tastes, and preferences.
