u/Confident-Fun-2592

On TikTok and even here it’s always stuff that you would see from elementary school like the colorful homerooms, playgrounds and toys. It’s never stuff from middle or high school which are usually more neutral in color and less playful. I rarely see people romanticize those grades to the degree as much as elementary school with all the kid centric food, toys, play periods and small children’s laughter music especially on TikTok. Is the ages someone spent in elementary school a good metric for when someone’s childhood began to be defined and when it ended ?

I know there’s biological factors like when it comes to the start of puberty, but I’m speaking more on the cultural aspect of this based on media and opinions I’ve seen on here and off.

Earlier 90s borns (1990-1994): The last off cusp millennials. This cohort was probably starting middle or elementary school around the day towers fell. Oldest was probably in 6th grade while the youngest was in 1st grade or kindergarten. Would likely have clear memories of the event.

Later 90s borns (1995-1999): The inbetweeners. The oldest in this cohort was probably in kindergarten when the towers fell and the youngest were toddlers in pre-school who were just learning how to talk and form their first sentences.

Earlier first half 2000s borns (2000-2004): Most born post 9/11, oldest in this cohort was only 1 year old or less at most when the towers fell, just toddlers with no strong memories of the event at all of the event. The rest born between September 2001-2004 weren’t even alive for the event. The first off cusp Gen Z cohort. The oldest ones born in 2000-2001 were probably newborns or toddlers who hadn’t even said their first words yet.

Edit: This was supposed to be a draft, might delete later

It always seems strongest from people who were kids and not even in high school at the time. I see it on TikTok a lot, people posting pictures of themselves with their older siblings at the time saying they were jealous they missed out on it.