Baby boomer (generation)
People born during the post–World War II rise in births, commonly defined c.1946–1964; a large cohort with lasting social, economic and cultural influence whose exact birth-year bounds vary by country.
The term baby boomer describes people born during the marked increase in birthrates that followed World War II. In many countries the label is applied to births beginning in the mid-1940s and ending in the 1960s; the most common international reference range is 1946–1964. National agencies and commentators sometimes use different spans: for example, Australia often treats the boom as roughly 1946–1961, while other sources in Canada have applied alternative ranges in particular contexts. Definitions and boundaries therefore vary by place and purpose.
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Origins and historical context
The postwar baby boom resulted from a mix of demographic and social factors. Returning servicemen, improved economic conditions, expanding housing and public-health advances contributed to higher fertility and earlier family formation in many industrialised countries. The phrase "baby boom" was in circulation by the early 1950s; a prominent early use of the term appears in a 1951 newspaper column by Sylvia F. Porter, reflecting public attention to the sharp rise in births at that time. Source reference
Characteristics and cultural impact
As a large cohort, baby boomers shaped markets, politics and culture across several life stages. They drove demand for housing, education and consumer goods during the latter half of the 20th century, played major roles in social movements such as civil rights and women’s liberation, and influenced popular music, film and media. Boomers are often associated with relatively high rates of home ownership, strong consumer spending in adulthood, and high participation in the labour market during their prime working years.
Economic and policy consequences
- Public pensions and health-care systems face long-term pressures as large numbers of boomers enter retirement.
- Workforce demographics changed as the generation aged, prompting shifts in employment policy and intergenerational discussions about taxes and benefits.
- Housing markets and inheritance patterns have been affected by the transfer of assets across generations.
Understanding the baby-boomer cohort requires attention to national differences in timing, fertility patterns and social policy. Demographers and policymakers commonly treat "baby boomer" as a useful shorthand for a postwar generation whose size and life-course experience continue to shape economies and societies. For discussions that rely on precise birth-year cutoffs, consult the specific statistical or historical source being used; for example, some Canadian references use different brackets when analysing demographic trends. See Canadian context
In generational comparisons, baby boomers sit between the Silent Generation (those born earlier in the 20th century) and Generation X (those born after the boom years). While labels and boundaries can be imprecise, the concept remains important for interpreting 20th- and 21st-century social change and public-policy planning.
Germany
In Germany, statisticians refer to those born between 1955 and 1969 as the baby boomers. In the United States, this age cohort corresponds more to the so-called Jones generation, both in terms of age and typical habitus. Births peaked in 1964 with 1,357,304 live births. From 1965 onwards, the so-called pill kink set in: the birth rate declined and finally fell below the 1955 level in 1970; from 1972 onwards, the birth rate was below the death rate. In the long term, the downward trend in birth rates has continued until today; in 2002, the number of births was only half as high as in 1964. Although the baby-boom generation is a powerful demographic factor, there are no studies with clear results on their attitude to life and their type of socialisation. On the other hand, statements based on assumptions, speculations and interpretations are increasingly being made in the media and in the economy.
Economy and politics
The numerical strength of the baby boomers has also made them an important factor in political efforts to manage demographic change. Thus, this generation is partly affected by the consequences of the economic and social challenges. The increase in the retirement age in the statutory pension insurance system to 67 in spring 2007 primarily affects the younger cohorts of baby boomers (from 1965) and the following cohorts.
The cohorts 1945-1969 make up 58% of the members of the 19th German Bundestag in Germany. In this age grouping, however, the baby boomers are combined with older cohorts who, from a socio-psychological point of view, are rather to be assigned to the so-called war children and the so-called 68ers.
Questions and answers
Q: What does the term baby boomer mean?
A: The term baby boomer refers to people born during the years 1946 to 1964 worldwide.
Q: What is the range of years for baby boomers in Canada?
A: In Canada, baby boomers are anyone born between 1960 and 1980.
Q: Who is identified as baby boomers in Australia?
A: In Australia, baby boomers are those born between 1946 and 1961.
Q: When did the birth rate start falling?
A: Generally, after 1960 the birth rate started falling.
Q: Who first used the term baby boom for the rapid rise in birthrate after Word War II?
A: Sylvia F. Porter, a columnist for the New York Post, first used the term baby boom for the rapid rise in birthrate after Word War II.
Q: What caused the rapid rise in birthrate after Word War II?
A: The rapid rise in birthrate after World War II is believed to have been caused by an increase in optimism, prosperity and hope for the future after the war had ended.
Q: How long does the baby boomer period last?
A: The baby boomer period generally lasts from 1946 to 1964 worldwide.
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Author
AlegsaOnline.com Baby boomer (generation) Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/8049
Sources
- u-s-history.com : "Baby Boom Generation"
- geography.about.com : "Baby Boom"
- nyu.edu : "Prolonged Health for Baby Boomers, Creative Retirement Transition for the Workforce"
- cnn.com : "Baby Boomer Generation Fast Facts"
- history.com : "Baby boomer market"
- history.com : history.com/
- apstudynotes.org : "Baby Boom"
- bizjournals.com : "End-of-life issues"
- bizjournals.com : bizjournals.com/
- livingbetterat50.com : "Aging and end-of-life issues"
- livingbetterat50.com : livingbetterat50.com/