Who and What is it?
Yuppie; the abbreviation according to Wikipedia, for a Young Urban Professional or Young Upwardly-mobile Professional, is a term that first appeared and started being applied, in the 1980s. It refers generally, to an upper-middle class young person in their twenties or early thirties, who is financially secure. They are usually employed in a professional capacity and have a tendency to be capable of earning "upper, middle class" incomes at an early age! Their living preferences would seem to be urbanized and to be surrounded by their kind.
Observing their life style is in some ways a contradiction of terms. They are inclined to be a conservative species, with the focus on making money, to support their high life style standards. However, this life style is in turn, fired up with expensive "toys" and gadgetry. Their buying is to a great extent, motivated by fellow Yuppies buying patterns. This applies particularly towards their children's toys and clothes. It is also in a way mandatory, for them to possess the latest hobby equipment and any electronic gimmickry!
The perception of the term "Yuppie" has both positive and negative connotations. Those who are able to equate with the demographics and this life style, are comfortable with this title. What to them is not acceptable is being labeled as being over indulgent people, who are less attentive to their families, with the emphasis being on purchasing expensive items and new toys to impress others, and lavish entertaining. This in turn creates a further negative perception, of the Yuppie having to work longer and harder, to maintain this life style, but at a cost to their family life!
If you were a "Baby Boomer", born between 1946 and 1964, you could have been a "Yuppie" in the eighties, when it supposedly all began. Some signs of being part of the species would be your choice of television programs. These would include "Thirty something" or L.A. Law. Other indications would include your car; was it a "Beemer" or a Mercedes and if you did not own one, did you wish to? What you wore would be important, such as Amani trousers and did you carry a Gucci briefcase? Taking it a step further, your preference in respect of alcohol drinks; wine or beer? Now thinking back, did you write with a Cross pen and buy "designer" ice cream or Yoghurt in preference to the ordinary supermarket brands?
Going back in Yuppie history, we have to reach into the sixties for two interesting originating species. The first was the era of the Hippies, who were political and cultural rebels and became famous or infamous, with Woodstock. After this rebellious era, came the Preppies. Their claim to fame was adverse, as their mission was being materialistic, upscale and obsessed with their status. They maintained that all privileges were due to them as their rights, caused by an accident of birth!
After the demise of the previous specie, there came upon the planet, the Yuppie!
Their elected program was to promote the better of the previous two worlds. This was developed into providing the materialism of the Preppies, but without an obvious, inbuilt snobbery factor. Incorporated into this mixture, was the self consuming perfectionism of the Hippie, but lacking the anti-establishment perspective.
The term or label, "Yuppie" is an interesting one. Records show it was first used in print form by the Chicago Tribune in 1983. It was mentioned in connection with an article on a man named Jerry Rubin. He apparently, was a Hippie who became a Yuppie and was referred to in connection with a presidential campaign by Senator Gary Hart. Senator Hart was a Democrat, who appeared to be the ideal candidate that would appeal to the conservative but socially liberal Yuppie voter.
Yuppies have sometimes been designated, as having a consuming passion for the attainment of the "American Dream". They are not however, credited to any extent with caring, or having any regard for those who are left behind! Their glory days came to an abrupt ending in the late eighties, when the stock market crashed in October of 1987. It was widely described as the result of Yuppie mistakes. Following this crash, the word "Yuppie" soon became a derogatory term. In all fairness though, there is little argument that this species of Yuppie certainly had a cultural impact that has lasted to the present time!
During these hectic times, a subject of argument was regarding the actual number of genuine Yuppies! This sadly has comparative references relating to protected animals or other species. The figures quoted, were anywhere between 1.2 million and 4.2 million, depending upon which source you preferred! What also emerged from various data was that about three quarters of Yuppie households, were represented by a couple. The name given to this sub species was "Dinks". When translated this means, "Double income, No kids".
It was recognised that Dinks worked long hours, in their professional or managerial positions. Their spending pattern was consistent with the Yuppie species trend, which was always as blatant and obvious as possible. It was also accepted that the question of having children and building a family, was placed in the background, for the sake of careers.
In the present day, this has changed to a degree. It would now seem to be a Yuppie requisite, that the family has an allocated 2 children and a popular number of pets! The household must conform to an accepted, popular standard, as must the vehicles. Quality of life must be seen as being at an acceptable level and any additional expensive purchases must be visibly and quickly displayed.
Children are taught from an early age, that attention and notice, is afforded them and that their demands are met without reservation. They understand that they are elite and are entitled to anything they desire, no matter what the cost! There is an impression of either a compensatory element being present, or the fear of being thought lacking in some way?
Whatever a Yuppie is or has been, or has achieved, whether they are happy with their lives is a debatable point. They will in all probability, live in a state of trepidation, or even fear, that their fairytale world could come crashing down at practically any time.
Perhaps secretly, they wish for a simpler and less stressful life!
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