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Whether we like it or not, most of us will become our parents one way or another - from something as small as the way they laugh or maybe something as profound as the same career path. Some of us crumble at the notion that we could share similarities with our less hip parents - but for the kids of the parents in these vintage photos, the levels of cool exuding from their older generation are something they can only hope to aspire to.

Bored Panda presents a new photo list of times kids came across old photos of their parents only to realize their parents were cooler than them. So scroll down below to check out some old-school photo treasures and upvote your favs. Maybe it will inspire you to ask your own cool parents to show you what they were like when they were young!

#1

My Favorite Picture Of My Mom. She Was The Only Girl In Her Welding Class In 1984. Byrd High School, Shreveport, Louisiana

My Favorite Picture Of My Mom. She Was The Only Girl In Her Welding Class In 1984. Byrd High School, Shreveport, Louisiana

lizzyhaze Report

Generational differences - sometimes it's hard to get an explanation of what the older generations were thinking other than "It was a different time." Progress is great but what are some things older people may miss about their youth? First we have the style. There is a reason we love shopping at vintage stores - because compared with the some of the looks of today our parents had some pretty cool looks. But when did Americans decide to trade in their tailored slacks for leggings? Casual fashion went through many milestones to reach where it is today but in 1966 James Laver, a renowned historian of dress, told a group of fashion industry executives, “Clothes of the sexes are beginning to overlap and coincide.” 

#2

My Mom Flew Helicopters For The Army In The 80s

My Mom Flew Helicopters For The Army In The 80s

completedesaster Report

#3

My Mother Doing A Handstand On Two Skateboards (Circa 1980's)

My Mother Doing A Handstand On Two Skateboards (Circa 1980's)

Nirokie Report

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Phoebe Bean
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I´d say a handstand on one skateboard is quite impressive, but on two... just W O W.

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Millennials may think they are the most connected generation with all of the various media platforms but this has caused less trust and isolation among these young people. According a survey 56 per cent of those aged 22 to 37 would trust an ordinary person in the street to tell the truth, compared to 77 per cent of baby boomers."Levels of social trust have been argued to be a strong predictor of national economic growth, levels of life satisfaction and suicide rates," it says. 

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#4

My Dad (Front) In Vietnam In 1971. He Didn’t Know This Photo Existed Until I Came Across It Randomly On The Internet. He Cried When He Saw It

My Dad (Front) In Vietnam In 1971. He Didn’t Know This Photo Existed Until I Came Across It Randomly On The Internet. He Cried When He Saw It

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Monika Soffronow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

His father broke down and cried. Understandable. The rich and powerful did all they could to not be drafted into the army back then and one of them is now play-acting at being president ... *slowly shaking my head*

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Lewis Jones
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very cool, my daughter found one of me in Grenada (not this cool, though) that I didn't know existed. It was captioned and really brought back some nice feelings. PS don't let these comments from those that never served change your feelings on your Dad. They will never understand.

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BusLady
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sad to think that some of these men may not have made it home.

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Sue Clifford
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sends chills down my spin. I can’t even imagine how he feels. All war is terrible but Vietnam was a hell hole and tragic.

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Kim Lorton
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was a sad war. They were not treated well, at all coming home and that is not the worst of it. Thank you, for serving, all of you. If I were president, I’d redo the veterans care and medical and housing and all their services and make it free.

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L.j. Bus
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think we would never sleep again if we truly knew what went on for the soldiers there 24/7. I can only imagine the losses and cruelty he’d experienced there

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Berna
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks for the service you provided. With you always.

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Sue Knerl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd cry too. That was a horrible time for our young men, women and our nation.

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Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was even traumatic for those of us at home, watching the war on the news every night for my entire adolescence. The Vietnam War ended on my 19th birthday.

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Ashley Wright
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. One can feel the misery of the situation. God Bless our veterans. 🇺🇸

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invisible sheep
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

okay you all think that's cool and so on, but have you ever watched any documentary about the war and the impact it left in Vietnam? Do you know that there are still generations of children being born with a disability because of the Agent orange chemical passed on from previous generations that suffered through the war? No personal hate to your dad really, he did what he was told to do and possibly was brainwashed that it was a right thing. But as a Vietnamese, I am f*****g upset to see soldiers on tanks on my homeland is considered a cool thing. That's not cool. You people need to learn a little bit more about the other side of the story.

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Pungent Sauce
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would say with near 100% certainty that -no one- in this photo thought it was a “cool thing” to be where they were, and to be doing what they were doing.

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NotMe
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mmm, but why is this pic "my dad was cooler than me"...?

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Sergey Soldatenkov
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

3 million Vietnamese people with great joy and enthusiasm died of American weapons under the sign of peace. They knew they were dying in the name of democracy and freedom.

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Colin Olmstead
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeah so cool, slaughtering over a million and losing over 50k Americans....so cool

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Eleanor Orser
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is amazing. I always look closely at WW2 photos thinking I might spot my father in law

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Jim Lowe
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate it. Starting with this picture and all the rest going down, they're not showing up. :(

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Monika Soffronow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Phil Ochs: I ain't marching anymore. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv1KEF8Uw2k

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#5

My Dad At His First Job At Nasa!

My Dad At His First Job At Nasa!

sonokoroxs Report

We all have our vices - but maybe the younger generation has healthier ones. With anti-smoking campaigns like 'truth' smoking isn't as widely accepted and definitely not depicted in the 50's Mad Men style way. Our parents grew up in a different time though, for example ot wasn't until the 1990s that smoking on airplanes was banned completely.

#6

Chuck Norris Pinned By My Dad

Chuck Norris Pinned By My Dad

LanaDelRayquaza Report

#7

My Dad And His Veterinarian Mother, With Their Pet Lion Which They Raised For Two Years, 1959

My Dad And His Veterinarian Mother, With Their Pet Lion Which They Raised For Two Years, 1959

ryanb99 Report

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Phoebe Bean
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lady looks fierce too, look at those arms! (lion looks adorable)

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Hipsters may think that they are a step ahead of the rest with their beards and man buns - but just as it is with their vintage fashion sense they must pay their respects to the pioneers of long hair fashion. Long locks on both men and women became a trendy look in the 1960s and 1970s, Before that you would have been side-eyed for your unruly mane.

#8

My Dad Diving Off The Starboard Fin Of A Submarine And Into The Pacific Ocean In The Summer Of 1983

My Dad Diving Off The Starboard Fin Of A Submarine And Into The Pacific Ocean In The Summer Of 1983

MightyCornDog Report

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#9

My Mom Holding Myself Whilst Writing Her Master Thesis On The Macintosh Classic II (1991)

My Mom Holding Myself Whilst Writing Her Master Thesis On The Macintosh Classic II (1991)

FrenchFriesGate Report

Want to know why your parents are cooler than you? Because the things we think are trendy now began back in their day. Walk into any Urban Outfitters and you will see walls with vinyl records and record players. Well vinyl records were created in the 1950's and your parents definitely weren't using these discs for decoration - anyone feel like listening to the Beatles?

#10

My Friends Parents Are Celebrating Their 47th Anniversary This Week. Here's Them Being Badasses In The 70's

My Friends Parents Are Celebrating Their 47th Anniversary This Week. Here's Them Being Badasses In The 70's

DoubleM515 Report

#11

My Mom Was A Homicide Detective In The 80s

My Mom Was A Homicide Detective In The 80s

gymbez Report

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Walkus-Andrew Andrea
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really like this one because so-called gender roles were still expected in the 1980s. Your mom is so confident in a career that is quite exciting. Kudos to her!

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#12

My Mom, Age 15, Smoking At An Allman Brothers Concert With A Broken Arm. Watkins Glen '73

My Mom, Age 15, Smoking At An Allman Brothers Concert With A Broken Arm. Watkins Glen '73

TheCKBandit Report

#13

My Parents In 1972 In Front Of Their Store In Paris

My Parents In 1972 In Front Of Their Store In Paris

RobinThomass Report

#14

1969 Vietnam: My Father’s Version Of A Selfie Before Selfies Were A Thing

1969 Vietnam: My Father’s Version Of A Selfie Before Selfies Were A Thing

mastiffmum Report

#15

My Dad A Zoo Keeper In 1992

My Dad A Zoo Keeper In 1992

He was the only one at the time who could call the rhinos by name and they would come running like dogs. They enjoy a scratch behind the ear like dogs too.

8_Bit_Zombies Report

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Captain Marvellous ♥️
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude...now that is cool. It's amazing when humans and animals can reach a level of trust like that! If only the whole world was as kind as he was toward these poor creatures.

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#16

My Father Who Shipped His Bike Over To England And Rode All Over Europe On It - 1973

My Father Who Shipped His Bike Over To England And Rode All Over Europe On It - 1973

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#18

My Mom As A Red Cross Volunteer In WWII. She Had Her Own Radio Show In The Pacific Theater To Counteract Tokyo Rose. 1944

My Mom As A Red Cross Volunteer In WWII. She Had Her Own Radio Show In The Pacific Theater To Counteract Tokyo Rose. 1944

Saved_by_punctuation Report

#20

My Pregnant Mom At Gunpoint Trying To Get Home - May 1969 Berkeley

My Pregnant Mom At Gunpoint Trying To Get Home - May 1969 Berkeley

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#22

Pretty Rad Picture Of My Dad When He Was 22, In Texas, Taken In 1987. That Ghettoblaster Is Epic

Pretty Rad Picture Of My Dad When He Was 22, In Texas, Taken In 1987. That Ghettoblaster Is Epic

peter_nincompoop33 Report

#23

My Mom Fled Saigon In 1975. By The 90s, She Had Joined The US Air Force

My Mom Fled Saigon In 1975. By The 90s, She Had Joined The US Air Force

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Elizabeth
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now she's a badass! I am awestruck by people with the bravery to immigrate then join the military.

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#24

One Of My Favorite Photos Of My Parents In The Late 70s

One Of My Favorite Photos Of My Parents In The Late 70s

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#25

My Hilarious Father (With The Magazine) And My Grandfather, Grandmother, And Uncle At His Bar Mitzvah In 1972

My Hilarious Father (With The Magazine) And My Grandfather, Grandmother, And Uncle At His Bar Mitzvah In 1972

JasonPlatz Report

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Hello it Smee
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

His uncle face cracks up, could you imagine seeing this hung on someone's wall

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#26

My Father Halfway Through Motorcycling Across Africa - 1980s

My Father Halfway Through Motorcycling Across Africa - 1980s

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Paul Mcquaid
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know him!!! He was my married to my sister and they rode halfway around the world. He actually contracted malaria in Africa as well. Pretty sure my sister took this picture.

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#27

My Dad Taking A Smoking Break While Fighting Saddam Husseins Army In The 80s

My Dad Taking A Smoking Break While Fighting Saddam Husseins Army In The 80s

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#28

My Mom Said She Gave This Up When She Had Me. I'm Pretty Sure She Stopped When I Was Old Enough To Want Some (1970's)

My Mom Said She Gave This Up When She Had Me. I'm Pretty Sure She Stopped When I Was Old Enough To Want Some (1970's)

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#29

My Dad Fishing... On A Nuclear Submarine 1966

My Dad Fishing... On A Nuclear Submarine 1966

vbisbest Report

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Lotte
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

don't mind me im just fishing off a submarine. guess the fish never saw that one coming

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#30

My Mom In The Hospital After Giving Birth To My Sister. Canada 1978. Smokes And Roasted Chicken

My Mom In The Hospital After Giving Birth To My Sister. Canada 1978. Smokes And Roasted Chicken

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Jasmine Walker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Y'all worried about the cigarette, I'm sitting here looking at how great she looks after having a whole baby.

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