|
| The more than 77 million
members of the baby boom generation have experienced
paradigm changes in the social structure and
technology. Born between 1946 and 1964, the baby
boom generation has experienced the stresses of the
Cold War, the social unrest of the civil rights,
women's and environmental movements, and the
protests and activism of the Vietnam War era.
Identifying the baby boom generation probably should
start with the definition of the U.S. Department of
the Census. They classify a person as a baby boomer
if they were born in the period from 1946 until
1964. Others have proposed slightly different time
frames for the United States, and the period is
different for other countries because the increase
in births occurred sooner or later by a few years.
The baby boom was nicknamed by an author and journalist
named Landon Jones. As a result, the later born half of the
generation is often also called Generation Jones in his
honor. A notable member of Generation Jones is the current
President of the United State, Barack Obama, who was born in
1961. Likewise, a notable member of the earlier half of the
generation was the last President, George W. Bush.
While the first of the baby boom
generation was born into a time of peace and prosperity after
the second World War, there was considerable turmoil ahead. War
broke out in Korea in the early 1950's and some boomers lost a
parent in that conflict. Throughout the 50's and into the 60's
the Cold War raged and there was a considerable atmosphere of
tension and fear of nuclear annihilation.
Social unrest was also part and
parcel of the 50's and 60's. The civil rights movement sought
voting and other rights for African-Americans and often resulted
in violence. There were lynching and murders, violent
demonstrations and assassinations such as that of Martin Luther
King Jr. Even the many peaceful actions and demonstrations
caused uneasiness because they demanded radical changes to the
status quo.
Environmentalism and the movement
for women's rights also caused some upheaval, although this was
rarely violent. The advent of the Vietnam War and the military
draft that accompanied it led to unprecedented anti-war activism
and resistance. Public opinion about this war was largely shaped
by seeing it daily on television, something that had never been
possible before.
Through a time of lightning fast
technological change, the baby boom generation managed to
command considerable wealth and purchasing power. Over 77
million strong, the baby boom generation controls over half of
the spending power in America. As this largest of American
generations reaches retirement age, it remains to be seen what
the financial changes of retirement will mean to the economy.
the Baby Boom
Generation evolution continues....