Baby Boomer

We explain what a baby boomertheir characteristics and what the leaders of that generation are like. Also, characteristics of the other generations.

What is a baby boomer?

It is known as baby boomers either boomers to the generation of people born between 1946 and 1964 which was a period known for rising birth rates. Its name comes from the English expression “baby boom” which means “boom of babies”. This phenomenon is related to the period of prosperity that the United States, Canada, Australia and some European countries went through after World War II.

It is considered that the baby boomers It is a fortunate generation, since it lived in times of economic prosperity and social stability, with continuous improvements in the quality of life. This aspect is especially highlighted in comparison to the previous generation that had to go through the crises of the interwar period and the horrors of the Second World War.

The baby boomers constitute one of the largest generations in history, especially in developed countries. At their peak, they represented almost 30% of the population of countries such as the United States, Australia or Canada.

This is a generation that has a great impact on material consumption. It grew up during the rise of consumer culture and has great purchasing power. It was the first generation to allocate its income to mass consumption goods (such as automobiles and household appliances) and services related to well-being, leisure and tourism (such as vacations and entertainment events).

Currently, the baby boomers They are between 60 and 80 years old, and are of retirement age. Their large numbers create difficulties in the retirement and healthcare systems in many countries. On the other hand, they must adapt to constant technological changes, which can limit their access to services and social connections, in an increasingly digitalized world.

• See also: Population growth

Characteristics of the baby boomers

The main characteristics of the baby boomers are:

• age group. They are people who were born between 1946 and 1964. Currently, they constitute a generation over 60 years old.
• Economic impact. They are a generation that benefited from the economic prosperity of the 1960s and allocated much of their resources to consumer goods.
• Social impact. In the past, they were protagonists of important cultural and social movements, such as the fight for civil rights in the United States, the feminist movement in Western countries, and the counterculture of the 1960s.
• Demographic weight. They are one of the largest generations in history, which gives them great political, social and economic influence.
• Longevity. Thanks to medical advances and improved quality of life, baby boomers They have a longer life expectancy compared to previous generations.
• Cultural consumption. This generation was the first to grow up with television as a dominant medium and has been a large consumer of cultural industries such as music, film and television.
• Digital divide. The baby boomers They grew up with great technological advances, but must constantly adapt to the speed of today's digital changes.

The life stages of baby boomers

Throughout their lives, those born during baby boom after World War II were experiencing different historical, economic and social events that marked their growth as a generation. These experiences shaped their worldview, their values, and their relationships with both their peers and other generations.

There are some elementary features of the social experience in each stage of life of this generation, although it is important to highlight that this is a generalization and, as such, does not reflect the diversity of experiences that people go through.

The different life stages of baby boomers They are characterized by:

• Childhood and adolescence. They grew up in a period of economic prosperity and stability after World War II. They enjoyed a safe family environment and witnessed the expansion of access to education and technology. The popularization of radio and television influenced its cultural development from very early on, along with the emergence of rock and roll and other cultural experiences.
• Youth. They lived in an era of economic expansion and job opportunities. They were protagonists of the social and political movements of the 60s and 70s, such as the civil rights movement, feminism and opposition to the Vietnam War. At the same time, they were the main followers of the culture of mass consumption of material goods, such as automobiles, household appliances and fashion.
• Maturity. They consolidated their managerial role in the workforce and the economy marked by the growth of the 1980s and 1990s. They faced problems related to raising their children, who grew up in an environment different from their own and with pessimism regarding capitalism and the structures social. They also experienced challenges related to work-life balance.
• Withdrawal. Today, there are challenges associated with aging, retirement, and access to health services. In addition, they face the need to adapt to new technologies that change rapidly and constantly, like the global economy. On the other hand, they reoriented their consumption patterns, now aimed at wellness experiences, personal care, entertainment and leisure.

The different social generations

In today's society, people from different generations coexist, who went through different contexts and share certain characteristics.

However, it must be taken into account that these are very general traits, since humanity is defined by the great diversity of experiences. Furthermore, generations evolve over time and their attributed characteristics may change as their members age.

Generation	Birth	Characteristics
Silent generation	1928-1945	They grew up during the Great Depression and World War II. They value stability and have a strong work ethic.
baby boomers	1946-1964	They lived in a time of economic prosperity after World War II and were protagonists of important cultural and social movements.
Generation	1965-1980	They experienced greater economic uncertainty and changes in family structure. They are flexible and seek balance between work and personal life.
Millennials (generation Y)	1981-1996	They grew with the expansion of the internet and digital technology. They defend social and technological changes, with special attention to diversity, tolerance and social activism.
Generation Z	1997-2012	They are digital natives and are constantly connected to instant information. They care about issues of social justice and sustainability.
Alpha generation	2013-present	They are growing up in a high-tech environment from a young age. They are expected to be highly adaptable and technology-focused.

Demographics of the baby boomers

Although in the past the expression of baby boomers especially for the United States, Canada, Australia and some European countries, currently the name is used to encompass those born between 1946 and 1964 worldwide.

It is observed that the birth of this generation had more impact in those countries that had greater industrial development and those that were most affected by the Second World War.

• America. In North America, the baby boomers They make up almost 30% of the population and currently number about 71.6 million in the US and 9 million in Canada. In Latin America, countries such as Brazil and Argentina also saw an increase in the baby boomer population, although on a smaller scale than in North America.
• Europe. On this continent, the baby boomers They represent a significant proportion of the population, especially in countries such as Germany, with around 20 million, and the United Kingdom, with approximately 12 million.
• Asia. On this continent, the number of baby boomers varies considerably. In Japan, it reaches 15 million people, representing almost 13% of the population. China has the most baby boomers in the world, since they number almost 60 million people, but this number represents less than 5% of the population. In India, there are almost 30 million people but they represent only 2% of the population, due to a higher birth rate in subsequent decades.
• Africa. The population of baby boomers Africa is lower than in other continents. In countries like South Africa, there are around 4 million baby boomers. In general, the African population is younger.
• Oceania. In Oceania, the baby boomers They have a notable presence in Australia, where they reach 15% of the population with more than 4 million people. In New Zealand, there are around 1 million baby boomersbut this number represents almost 20% of the population.

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References

• Ackermann, M. (2008). baby boom. Encyclopedia of World History, vol. V: Crisis and Achievement. 1900 to 1950. Facts on File.
• Dimock, M. (2023). 5 things to keep in mind when you hear about Gen Z, Millennials, Boomers and other generations. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/
• Owram, D. (1996). Born at the Right Time: A History of the Baby-Boom Generation. University of Toronto Press.
• Woodspring, N. (2016). Baby boomers: Time and Aging Bodies. Policy press.