Impact of Baby Boomers on American Society

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 are 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.