Baby Boomers
Impact of Baby Boomers on American Society
Demographers' defined the baby boom as a birth surge started in 1946, after the World War II and reached its peak in 1957 and continued until 1964 because of the postwar prosperity. Most people uses "generation" as their term but demographers precisely referred it as "cohort" (group of individuals experiencing a certain event within a specified time). This reveals that social changes interconnect with the life of every baby boomer.
There two groups of baby boomers. The babies born from 1946 to 1955 were called early boomers. Those who were born from 1956 to 1964 were called as late boomers. The last set of late boomers were born during the first tour of Beatles in America and the first early boomers was approximately 18 years that time. Baby boomers were noticeable because of their big populations. They crowded junior high, elementary schools, high schools, labor market, and colleges.
Studies show that the impacts brought about by the society where baby boomers grew up contributes a lot in reshaping the society. They never think like their parents. Because the population of these cohorts is unprecedented during the 20th century, their beliefs and behaviors are then predicted to dominate things.
But there is also a great discrepancy in terms of economic status between early boomers and late boomers. Compared to the energetic job market and emerging economy laid beneath the feet of early boomers, late boomers needs adjustment on economic shifts. It is due to the rapid growth of service sectors, jobs for middle class became less stable, changing locations of workers, and career market adjustments.
Most boomers considered economic security as an elusive thing. They are the people who were born after the era of civil rights. Conducted studies even reveals income differences according to ethnicity, race, and birthplace creating ethnic classes. It was because one third of the population of baby boomers Hispanic, African-American, or Asian besides the black and white Americans. Take for instance, the black boomer's generation are considered inferior than whites, although the generation of baby boomers were rated the best in terms of education.
It is a fact that the life of baby boomers was accompanied by postwar transformations changing the American society. The ideas about sexuality, gender, and family were altered profoundly. Likewise, parenthood changed, old age and retirement was redefined, and labor forces were transformed. Even in their old age, they seize opportunity to stay involved and active like staying in their work force to meet the responsibilities of supporting their children.
The changes in the society were never brought solely by stereotype baby boomers but also the conservative types like Seth Grossman. The stereotype boomers expressed themselves through street protests while the conservative boomers use other forms such as leaflets, student newspapers, and forums. Although their actions did not attract the attention of media but they achieved their success when they forced a referendum which resulted in the withdrawal of Duke students from the National Student Association.
Conservative boomers may not be a part of the projected boomer's image but they became a strong force in making their way silently. They are not even in the front page of the newspapers because they still attend their class while others were boycotting. Nevertheless, these conservative boomers have supported conservative politicians like George Wallace in 1968.
One third of the populations of early boomers served during the Vietnam War. Other boomers made a name in different fields throughout history. Joyce Johnson was an African-American who belongs to the stereotype boomers her activist work in her graduate school. When she entered Duke School, she sought for advancement not only for herself but her entire race. She belongs in the Afro-American Society involved in the iconic events in the Duke campus during the 60s. Grossman and Johnson are baby boomers who contributed great change in their society.
Deep understanding about the baby boom generation is very important as they advanced on to their old age. It should be more of demographic curiosities because if demographic bulge move continuously on the system, then economic differences also persists. These baby boomers once do their best in shaping the society providing significant impacts on the lives of many people besides themselves.
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Events in the Year When Baby Boomers are Born Shaped Their Lives
The U.S experienced a birthrate that was exceptionally high from 1946 to 1964. This is known as the baby boom generation. Because of their large population, they created profound impact on the economy and society all throughout their lives. What shaped their mentality and perception of the world was the situations and issues of their time. All of these has shaped what we know the world today.
In 1946, where it is perceived where the baby boomers generation started, the major events includes Winston Churchill warnings over "iron curtain" of the Soviet dominating Eastern Europe, the first general assembly of the UN happened, John D. Rockefeller donated money for a particular New York-based UN headquarters, the trial on war crimes of Nuremburg returns and sentenced 12 Nazis to death.
In 1947, President Truman formulated "Truman Doctrine" which provided help to countries that were experiencing threats on its government. George Marshall, the U.S. State Secretary called for the "Marshall Plan" for recovery efforts in Europe. Pakistan and India were declared independent nations. Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain was married to the Edinburgh Duke, Phillip Mountbatten.
In 1948, the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in India happened. Alger Hiss was accused of spying. Czechoslovakian communists seized control in Czechoslovakia. Marshall Plan was ratified approving 17 billion dollars for aiding Europeans. The Israel's State admitted more than 200,000 European refugees.
In 1949, communists seized power over China fleeing nationalists to Taiwan; North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established, Israel became a part of UN, Apartheid was declared the official policy of the South African government, Indonesia and Vietnam gained sovereignty.
In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, forces of Chinese communist occupied Tibet, Senator McCarthy warned of the State Department communist infiltration, assassination failure of a nationalist Puerto Rican on President Truman and Alger Hiss was condemned of perjury.
In 1951, truce negotiation failed on the offensive pushes of North Korea beyond 38th parallel, Congress passed 22nd Amendment permitting two terms for a President, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were convicted for passing nuclear secrets of the U.S. to Soviet Union, and Senator Estes Kefauver started investigating organized crime and gambling.
In 1952, President Dwight Eisenhower was elected, Princess Elizabeth was crowned as Great Britain's queen, U.S constructed its 1st nuclear submarine, Nautilus.
In 1953, Nikita Khrushchev won after Josef Stalin's death in Soviet Union, Josef Tito was elected as Yugoslavian President, convicted spies Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were executed, and U.S. Health and Human Services was created.
In 1954, Supreme Court declared racial discrimination in school unconstitutional, Senator McCarthy conducted inquiries of the Army's communist infiltration on national television, Soviet Union rejected proposals in reunifying Germany, and radical nationalist Puerto Ricans attacked House of Representatives shooting 5 congressmen.
In 1955, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the first U.S. civil rights society, President Eisenhower suffered a heart attack, and Allies of the World War II signed a treaty to restore Austria's independence.
In 1956, re-election of Dwight Eisenhower as U.S President, Khrushchev Soviet's leader denounced Stalin, Israel invaded Sinai Peninsula, U.S. interstated highway system, Fidel Castro started Cuba revolution, and ocean liner Andrea Doria from Italy sank.
In 1957, "Eisenhower Doctrine" was announced by President Eisenhower, Soviet Union inaugurated "Space Age" through Sputnik launching, and Senator Strom Thurmond approved the significant legislation of civil rights.
In 1958, U.S. launched Explorer I (U.S. first satellite), NASA was established, the goodwill tour of Vice-President Nixon created riot and protests in South America, United Arab Republic was formed by Sudan and Egypt and U.S Marines intervened in Lebanon,
In 1959, Hawaii and Alaska became U.S states and Canada and U.S. completed the seaway of St. Lawrence.
In 1960, JFK (John F. Kennedy) was elected as president.
In 1961, President Kennedy established the Peace Corps.
In 1962, U.S. established semi-permanent presence of military in Vietnam, Adolf Eichman was sentenced to death in Israel, and Pope John XXIII at the convened Second Vatican Council.
In 1963, JFK was assassinated, Kenya gained Independence, Martin Luther King delivered the "I Have a Dream" speech, and Britain, U.S. and Soviet Union signed treaty banning nuclear tests.
In 1964, President Johnson was re-elected as U.S. President declaring war against poverty, and race riots are rampant in Harlem and other cities in the U.S.
Boomers will never wonder what really happened during those years when they were born, as what happened made a great impact that defined their generation. Learning their heritage is an enjoyable way of reminiscing the past which once shaped their lives.
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