Tuesday, January 13, 2009
In the literature of Boomer history there appears to be two key divisions in our Generation. The first are The Early Boomers born between 1946 and 1955; the second born between 1956 and 1964. Is there a difference, Yes! Let's talk about the first wave, which is mine, since I was born in 1952.
Early Boomers
The Cold War era of anticommunism and pro-corporatism created a nuclear family of a unique order. Those Boomer tended to be from white, suburban, middle-class, married and nuclear families. Technological innovations created some confusion of how to raise families, who encouraged Spock babies with positive reinforcement and full-time parenting. Childhoods were filled with vast changes in institutions, social and the media. Schools and churches exploded in rapid membership. The Mickey Mouse Club, which began in 1955, modeled a teenage lifestyle of carefree consumerism rather than an idealization of motherhood or family.
In our teens, we Boomer's transformed our families and institutions. Marketing expanded to meet desires of self-expression. Remember being "mod" and rock and roll music! By the late 1960's, anti-material, futuristics youth who had higher discretionary incomes from their parents, had greater recreational outlays that the previous generation. Free expression resulted in; long hair as personal expression, alternative clothing, drug use, and protesting the Vietnam War.
The Late Boomers
Unlike the Early Boomers, who were born between 1946 and 1955, late Boomers were born between 1956 and 1964 and sometimes referred to as the "forgotten" members of the group. The American notion of raising the ideal child changed to managing them. Teenagers in the 1970s retreated from the political activity of the past into a more consumer-based exploration of peer-based belonging. Drug use rose dramatically, women's liberation and sexual liberation.
The overall history of our Generation is an interesting history. Just be aware of the two major divisions, which I'm sure many of you will be wanting to share.
Denny Riedmiller
Cincinnati
