Contrary to belief, a Baby Boomer is not a type of bomb…

Have you ever wondered what a baby boomer is? It is someone that was born between 1946 and 1965.  And, there are specific groups of them:

1. Boomers I or The Baby Boomers that where born between 1946-1954
2. Boomers II or Generation Jones that where  born between 1955-1965

About Boomers I  – The Baby Boomers 

Boomers I, or The Baby Boomers, where born between 1946-1954. They are the second largest sector of our current population, with the Millennial’s recently passing them, as the largest living generation.  The first Boomer segment experienced the Kennedy and Martin Luther King assassinations, the Civil Rights movements and the Vietnam War.

About Boomers II or Generation Jones

Boomers II, or Generation Jones, was born between the years of 1955-1965. This generation was a bit less government friendly, as they where post-Watergate and experienced various economic struggles, like the oil embargo of 1979. They also seemed to come in second, to the The Boomers Boomers when it came to the best best jobs, opportunities and housing  – which by the way is also felt by Generation X.

What caused the Boom?

There are a few events that led to the baby boom explosion in 1946 – which created a large increase of population, in a short period of time.  The main contributing events where:

1. The end of the war, which resulted in a feeling of future prosperity
2. The end of the depression, where people that where hesitant to have children, now felt comfortable to their grow families – again because of the hope of emerging prosperity

So, with these two ingredients, you had a recipe for population boom, with the effects of plateauing about 1965. One of the main reasons for this, has to do with the birth control pill, which was approved in 1960 and became a very popular form of contraception, in 1965.

What effect did the boom have?

Over the next few decades, the population growth (specifically in the Western world) was significant. What occurred was revolutionary. There were many that changed during this time period. One of the most significant effects of the boom and changes in society, was the creation of the suburb. The suburb, had some substantial effects: one, it moved people out of the city centers, which helped to create ghettos, and two it isolated women, who at the time, where not a big part of the working population.

But with change, there are always new opportunities that can appear. One of the people that took advantage of the suburbs and what it had created was Brownie Wise. Brownie, could be considered a innovative sales person, that paved the way for other women to entering the workforce. She basically built the Tupperware brand and has an extremely interesting story.

Who was the first American Baby Boomer? Kathleen Casey-Kirschling…check out here story here.

Children of Baby Boomers 

If your parents are a Baby Boomers, you would then most likely be Generation X (Born between the 1966-1976). This generation has been referred to as the lost generation. Many come from divorced Baby Boomer parents, went to daycare or where latch-key kids. Interestingly, statistics show that this generation has the lowest voting participation rate of any generation. Perhaps a skeptical group, but statistically probably the formally educated generation –  which might have to do with with the lack of skilled labour jobs, that are filled with Baby Boomers extending their careers, which is unlike Traditionalists or Silent Generation (those born before 1946).

Current concerns for a Baby Boomers

For some, it might be scary time preparing for and being in retirement with its financial implications. Also, there is such a large number of Baby Boomer, that will have potential age related health issues, there is a worry about a potentially strain healthcare system and what this would health care coverage and costs. For many, the retirement age may have increased, which may effect retirement plans and pensions. There was a recession in 2008, where some people lost invested money and now might be realizing that they can’t afford to retire, or be able to live the lifestyle that they are used to. To add to this, many Baby Boomers are having to have their children and/or parents moving back in with them for financial reason.

The Baby Boomers have lived in a very interesting and exciting period of time. They as a group are healthier than the generation before and are staying engaged by continuing to offer there expertise through employment and volunteering.

15 songs that defined the Boomer era (list from the Huffington Post)

1. Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley (1957)
2. That’ll Be The Day – Buddy Holly and the Crickets (1957)
3. At the Hop – Danny and the Juniors (1957-58)
4. Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry (1958)
5. What’d I Say – Ray Charles (1959)
6. The Twist – Chubby Checker (1960)
7. I Want to Hold Your Hand – The Beatles (1963)
8. Dancing in the Street – Martha and the Vandellas (1964)
9. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – Rolling Stones (1965)
10. Like a Rolling Stone — Bob Dylan (1965)
11. Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys (1966)
12. Respect – Aretha Franklin (1967)
13. Light My Fire – The Doors (1967)
14. A Day in the Life – The Beatles (1967)
15. What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye (1971)

Top 10 films for and about Baby Boomers (list by The Arizona Republic)

1. Wall Street (1987)
2. All the President’s Men (1976)
3. Dazed and Confused (1993)
4. Easy Rider (1969)
5. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
6. American Graffiti (1973)
7. Harold and Maude (1971)
8. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
9. Apocalypse Now (1979)
10. The Graduate (1967)