Many people in the postwar era looked forward to having children because they were confident that the future would be one of comfort and prosperity. And just 8 percent of married women in the 1940s opted not to have children, compared to 15 percent in the 1930s.) (In 1940, the average American woman got married when she was almost 22 years old in 1956, the average American woman got married when she was just 20. Older Americans, who had postponed marriage and childbirth during the Great Depression and World War II, were joined in the nation’s maternity wards by young adults who were eager to start families. Most likely, however, the postwar baby boom happened for more quotidian reasons. Others have argued that it was a part of a Cold War campaign to fight communism by outnumbering communists.ĭid you know? In 1966, Time magazine declared that “the Generation Twenty-Five and Under” would be its “Persons of the Year.” Either sign into your FamilySearch account, or use the guest experience to compare the population, award-winning music and media, and other world information of today with the same information from the time of the baby boomers.What explains this baby boom? Some historians have argued that it was a part of a desire for normalcy after 16 years of depression and war. You can also compare what life is like today with the life they were born into by trying the “ All about Me” discovery experience. Share the stories of the baby boomers in your family and ask them about their experiences during these pivotal times in history. Which Baby Boomers in Your Family Influenced You? Many of the earliest computer-age innovators are baby boomers, such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. Technological Advancementīaby boomers were born into a world of black and white television and now live in the age of Wi-Fi, smartphones, and machine learning. Many would also later witness the destruction of the Berlin Wall in November 1989. Many were children when the Berlin Wall was constructed in August 1961 and would have heard the famous line “Ich bin ein Berliner” proclaimed by President Kennedy. They were born during a period of high tension between the United States and Russia. The Berlin Wallĭuring their lives, many baby boomers saw almost the entirety of the Cold War. Over a decade later, they witnessed the moon landing. This investment opened new opportunities for baby boomers to innovate and change the world of technology. The government began investing huge amounts of resources into research and developing new technologies. Many felt that the education system had fallen behind, and a new emphasis was put on science and mathematics. This achievement induced a radical change in the education system in the United States. The Sputnik could be seen whizzing across the night sky. In 1957, Sputnik was launched into orbit, and the world marveled at the accomplishment. They were certainly no strangers to national conflict. During this time, some baby boomers also participated in the antiwar movement. When they reached adulthood, many served their country in the Vietnam War. They witnessed the effects of those conflicts early in life. Their Slice of History The Korean War and the Vietnam Warĭuring their childhood, baby boomers witnessed the Korean War as well as rising tension in Vietnam. Baby boomers often learn to fix things themselves. During their lifetime, members of the baby boomer generation have witnessed some of the greatest technological advances in history, and they often have learned to use the resources available to them. They influenced the culture of the nation greatly, and they believe that hard work makes a difference. This generation has confidence in themselves and their abilities. They were raised with the idea of the American dream, and they push themselves to reach their goals. This belief was in part due to economic growth and increasing labor laws, which led to more free time. As they grew up, there was a growing belief in the value of spending time with family and friends. While there is no one way to describe an entire generation of people accurately, here are some general characteristics that tend to be seen in baby boomers:
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