Baby Boomers:
Yes, I ARE one. I admit it.
We got that moniker from American social scientists who at some point declared: “These are the people who were born in the years immediately after the end of World War II.”
But let’s back up for a second. Boomers are defined as those born between 1946 (check) and 1964.
Whoa. Wait a minute. 1964?
Since when is 1964 a post-war time?
Right after WWII ended in August 1945, millions of pent-up soldiers and sailors returned home and “got to work” right away -- starting and expanding the families that had been on hold while they were away fighting Hitler and Tojo and Mussolini.
And yes, the same thing happened to a lesser extent following the end of the Korean War (1950-53). But life had pretty much returned to normal -- population-birthrate-wise -- by the mid-to-late 50s.
So, OK. I get that 1946-64 is an 18-year spread, or basically a “generation,” i.e., long enough for a baby to reach the culturally accepted age of reproduction.
But give me a break. How does someone born in 1946 share much of anything – growing-up-wise – with someone born in 1964?
Here’s some interesting info on American generations:
Generation X is defined as those born between 1965 and 1980, only a 15-year span. Those people are now in their early 40s to mid-50s. They mostly represent Boomer kids.
Generation Y – also known as Millennials – were born between 1981 and 1996, another 15-year span. They now range in age from 25 to 40, representing Boomer grandkids.
Generation Z is defined as those born between 1997 and 2015, back to an 18-year span. These youngsters are now between seven and 25 years old. They are Boomer great-grandkids.
Those born since 2015? I guess it’s too soon to ascribe them a generational name, since that’s only the last seven years and they’re mostly still crawling around and getting their diapers changed.
But many will eventually be Boomer great-great-grandkids.
Notice how everything relates back to us Baby Boomers?
I have to say: When we Boomers were growing up, our parents and grandparents looked upon us and probably thought: “This is a BIG group that’s going to bring sweeping changes to American culture.”
And we did.
And we enjoyed being the constant center of attention, both then and continuing for quite some time after OUR TIME had essentially passed.
But face it: Our Time really HAS passed. We’re no longer the main target of TV ads unless it’s for some ED or arthritis drug.
It’s not our lined and careworn faces smiling out from those slick new car ads.
And it’s not our white or graying hair that dominates today’s hair care ads, unless it’s products to help us better “hide that gray.”
No, we’re now usually seen in advertisements for expensive retirement facilities and reverse mortgage commercials.
But that’s just life. And in the end, what does it really matter which generation we’re cast into?
I AM proud to be a Boomer. But am I going to wear a T-shirt that says that?
As a British person -- or Seinfeld -- might say:
Not bloody likely.
Comments