The Baby BoomThe Baby Boom

The Transformers of SocietyThe Transformers of Society

Before The Baby Boomers

The two generations before the baby boomers areimportant to talk about to understand how we got

to where we are.

Those two generations are :1.The GI Generation (The greatest Generation)2.The Silent Generation

The GI Generation

This generation was born from 1900-1925.

They grew up with the growth of America, hard work and the hope of the American Dream.

This group also had to suffer through the greatest economic downturn in world history – The Great Depression

Broadcast journalist Tom Brokaw called them “the greatest generation that society has ever produced”

He argued that these men and women fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. When they came back they rebuilt America into a superpower."

The Silent Generation is a label for the generation of Americans born from 1925-1942, notably during the Great Depression and World War II.

They grew up under the shadow of the two cataclysmic events.

They were not forgotten but ignored and some how had to make their mark.

They did by having children!Lots of them!

Bringing up the Boomers!Bringing up the Boomers! After WWII there was great prosperity in

North America, and especially Canada This not only changed the way babies were

delivered & nurtured, but also the way the family functioned

After WWII there was great prosperity in North America, and especially Canada

This not only changed the way babies were delivered & nurtured, but also the way the family functioned

Suburban CultureSuburban Culture

The rapid growth of the baby boom era contributed to a new suburban culture in Canada & the US

Demand for housing triggered a tremendous construction boom beyond the existing built-up urban areas - Giving the area the name the “suburbia”

Entire neighbourhoods were constructed quickly using a few basic floor plans for 5-6 rooms single-family bungalows & storey-and-a-half” houses.

The rapid growth of the baby boom era contributed to a new suburban culture in Canada & the US

Demand for housing triggered a tremendous construction boom beyond the existing built-up urban areas - Giving the area the name the “suburbia”

Entire neighbourhoods were constructed quickly using a few basic floor plans for 5-6 rooms single-family bungalows & storey-and-a-half” houses.

For some – owning a suburban home completed the security triangle – marriage, baby, house.

Each suburban house was built with a driveway – making cars a necessity for most families

For some – owning a suburban home completed the security triangle – marriage, baby, house.

Each suburban house was built with a driveway – making cars a necessity for most families

Suburban Car-CultureSuburban Car-Culture Fast-food restaurants, shopping plazas, and

the now-obsolete drive-in movie theatres

Fast-food restaurants, shopping plazas, and the now-obsolete drive-in movie theatres

Social CultureSocial Culture

Since the suburbs contained so many young families, certain social patterns usually developed within them

After their work was done, women often met at one another’s house for coffee while their kids were at school and their husbands were at work.

Since the suburbs contained so many young families, certain social patterns usually developed within them

After their work was done, women often met at one another’s house for coffee while their kids were at school and their husbands were at work.

Some evenings there were adult card parties or bowling, and on the weekends – sports for kids, cubs and brownies were also very popular

Some evenings there were adult card parties or bowling, and on the weekends – sports for kids, cubs and brownies were also very popular

Each weekend, 60% of all Canadian cultures attended religious services and engaged in family visits or social activities

Child-Centered UniverseChild-Centered Universe

2 age groups dominated the post-war suburbs: children under 15 & young adults between 25-44

There weren’t any teenagers yet, and grandparents liven somewhere else; generally, only the nuclear family of 2 parents and young children lived together.

2 age groups dominated the post-war suburbs: children under 15 & young adults between 25-44

There weren’t any teenagers yet, and grandparents liven somewhere else; generally, only the nuclear family of 2 parents and young children lived together.

Boomers’ upbringing compared to previous generations

Boomers’ upbringing compared to previous generations

About 4 out of 5 front end boomers were delivered in the hospital, compared to only one out of 5 of their parents. For late boomers, the ratio of hospital-born babies increased to 9 out of 10. This lowered Canada infant mortality rate.

About 4 out of 5 front end boomers were delivered in the hospital, compared to only one out of 5 of their parents. For late boomers, the ratio of hospital-born babies increased to 9 out of 10. This lowered Canada infant mortality rate.

Baby formula & small prepared bottles of baby food often replaced the breast-feeding and mashed “adult food” of the previous generation. These commercial foods for babies and toddlers were advertised as the modern way to bring up happy, healthy babies

Baby formula & small prepared bottles of baby food often replaced the breast-feeding and mashed “adult food” of the previous generation. These commercial foods for babies and toddlers were advertised as the modern way to bring up happy, healthy babies

Family Allowance benefits introduced across Canada in 1944 by the federal government provided families with a monthly “baby Bonus” to help feed and clothe each child. This allowance helped to nurture the healthiest generation of children Canada had known.

Family Allowance benefits introduced across Canada in 1944 by the federal government provided families with a monthly “baby Bonus” to help feed and clothe each child. This allowance helped to nurture the healthiest generation of children Canada had known.

Some parents consulted books written by child-care specialists, such as American pediatrician, Dr. Benjamin Spock, for advice on raising their children, instead of relying on the advice of relatives and friends as their own parents had done.

Parents often raised their children more permissively than their parents.

Some parents consulted books written by child-care specialists, such as American pediatrician, Dr. Benjamin Spock, for advice on raising their children, instead of relying on the advice of relatives and friends as their own parents had done.

Parents often raised their children more permissively than their parents.

Popular TV programs, such as Leave it to Beaver presented a stereotypical view of the happy, suburban, father-led family of the 1950’s. While programs did reflect did reflect some middle-class families it wasn’t the majority.

Popular TV programs, such as Leave it to Beaver presented a stereotypical view of the happy, suburban, father-led family of the 1950’s. While programs did reflect did reflect some middle-class families it wasn’t the majority.

Boomers go to SchoolBoomers go to School

The sudden increase in population meant increase pressure on public institutions. Ex - New hospitals, delivery rooms, & nursery wards

The first wave resulted in a boom in the building of elementary schools, followed by secondary schools and finally universities.

Today, Canadians are left with a sizeable national debt, because of the cost of borrowing to educate the baby boom generations

The sudden increase in population meant increase pressure on public institutions. Ex - New hospitals, delivery rooms, & nursery wards

The first wave resulted in a boom in the building of elementary schools, followed by secondary schools and finally universities.

Today, Canadians are left with a sizeable national debt, because of the cost of borrowing to educate the baby boom generations

Learning was also very different Previously: teacher-controlled authoritarian

education - expected to master a standard program that was strongly enforced on the 3-R’s (reading writing & arithmetic). Students seen as empty vessels to be filled, all the while following a fairly strict code of behaviour

Learning was also very different Previously: teacher-controlled authoritarian

education - expected to master a standard program that was strongly enforced on the 3-R’s (reading writing & arithmetic). Students seen as empty vessels to be filled, all the while following a fairly strict code of behaviour

1950’s: Progressive Education - developed by philosopher & educator John Dewey. More child-centered and teacher training emphasized that students were naturally eager to learn.

1950’s: Progressive Education - developed by philosopher & educator John Dewey. More child-centered and teacher training emphasized that students were naturally eager to learn.

The 1960’s CountercultureThe 1960’s Counterculture

Mid to late 60’s, the front wave of boomers hit late teenage years, and became very visible and vocal.

Many adults considered them to be rude & loud

Mid to late 60’s, the front wave of boomers hit late teenage years, and became very visible and vocal.

Many adults considered them to be rude & loud

1/2 of the population were not yet legally adults They were strongly influenced by television and

music They were fully aware of events in the US

1/2 of the population were not yet legally adults They were strongly influenced by television and

music They were fully aware of events in the US

My Generation - The Who My Generation - The Who

People try to put us down

Just because we get around

Things they do look awful cold

Hope I die before I get old

This is my generation

This is my generation, baby

Why don’t you all fade away

And don’t try and dig what we all say

I’m not trying to cause a big sensation

Talkin’ about my generation

This is my generation

This is my generation, Baby

WoodstockWoodstock 1969, 5 millions gathered in Upstate New

York to be part of Woodstock Music focused on protest & rebellion against

authority, and the Vietnam war in particular.

1969, 5 millions gathered in Upstate New York to be part of Woodstock

Music focused on protest & rebellion against authority, and the Vietnam war in particular.

Even though promiscuity & drug used increased, it was still only the minority

They were adventurous, but still conventional

More were positively involved in political activism, rights of women and rights of Aboriginal People

Even though promiscuity & drug used increased, it was still only the minority

They were adventurous, but still conventional

More were positively involved in political activism, rights of women and rights of Aboriginal People

Vietnam WarVietnam War• 1965 – 1975•Lengthiest Military conflict in American History• Main intention was to keep Communists in North Vietnam from expanding into South Vietnam

• 1965 – 1975•Lengthiest Military conflict in American History• Main intention was to keep Communists in North Vietnam from expanding into South Vietnam

Why Unrest?Why Unrest?WW II Clear – cut bad

guy Military is great

and powerful

WW II Clear – cut bad

guy Military is great

and powerful

VIETNAM Ideology = Bad Military plan

vague No way to win

Quickly

VIETNAM Ideology = Bad Military plan

vague No way to win

Quickly

The DraftThe Draft Due to the nature of

the Vietnam war, men are reluctant to join the war effort, resulting in a draft. Most of those drafted came from lower socio-economic classes

Due to the nature of the Vietnam war, men are reluctant to join the war effort, resulting in a draft. Most of those drafted came from lower socio-economic classes

PROTESTPROTESTAs a result of the

draft, large rallies are held to protest the war – led by students on college campuses

WHY?????

As a result of the draft, large rallies are held to protest the war – led by students on college campuses

WHY?????

In addition to the draft, the Vietnam war was the first war that could be followed on the television

Rolling Stones --

In addition to the draft, the Vietnam war was the first war that could be followed on the television

Rolling Stones --

I see a red door and I want it painted blackNo colors anymore I want them to turn blackI see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothesI have to turn my head until my darkness goesI see a line of cars and theyre all painted blackWith flowers and my love both never to come backI see people turn their heads and quickly look awayLike a new born baby it just happens evry dayI look inside myself and see my heart is blackI see my red door and it has been painted blackMaybe then Ill fade away and not have to face the factsIts not easy facin up when your whole world is black

No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blueI could not foresee this thing happening to youIf I look hard enough into the settin sunMy love will laugh with me before the mornin comes

I see a red door and I want it painted blackNo colors anymore I want them to turn blackI see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothesI have to turn my head until my darkness goesHmm, hmm, hmm,...I wanna see it painted, painted blackBlack as night, black as coalI wanna see the sun blotted out from the skyI wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted blackYeah!

I see a red door and I want it painted blackNo colors anymore I want them to turn blackI see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothesI have to turn my head until my darkness goesI see a line of cars and theyre all painted blackWith flowers and my love both never to come backI see people turn their heads and quickly look awayLike a new born baby it just happens evry dayI look inside myself and see my heart is blackI see my red door and it has been painted blackMaybe then Ill fade away and not have to face the factsIts not easy facin up when your whole world is black

No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blueI could not foresee this thing happening to youIf I look hard enough into the settin sunMy love will laugh with me before the mornin comes

I see a red door and I want it painted blackNo colors anymore I want them to turn blackI see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothesI have to turn my head until my darkness goesHmm, hmm, hmm,...I wanna see it painted, painted blackBlack as night, black as coalI wanna see the sun blotted out from the skyI wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted blackYeah!

Chemical WarfareNapalm and Agent Orange

Chemical WarfareNapalm and Agent Orange

Sexual RevolutionSexual Revolution

1960’s brought with it the sexual revolution, a time during which behaviour and morals in NA began to change drastically.

There was a sharp incline of children born unmarried mothers (known as “illegitimate births”)

This could be interpreted in 2 different ways - 1) either more couples were living together instead of

becoming legally married or 2) more people were engaging in premarital sex

Stats indicate a steady rise in Canadian marriage rates from the mid 1960’s onwards, representing the weddings of the front-end boomers

BUT a comparison to the stats indicates that births outside of marriage were increasing at a faster rate.

1960’s brought with it the sexual revolution, a time during which behaviour and morals in NA began to change drastically.

There was a sharp incline of children born unmarried mothers (known as “illegitimate births”)

This could be interpreted in 2 different ways - 1) either more couples were living together instead of

becoming legally married or 2) more people were engaging in premarital sex

Stats indicate a steady rise in Canadian marriage rates from the mid 1960’s onwards, representing the weddings of the front-end boomers

BUT a comparison to the stats indicates that births outside of marriage were increasing at a faster rate.

Canadians were influenced by the growing emphasis on personal and sexual freedom that was an important part of the baby boom era

Canadians were influenced by the growing emphasis on personal and sexual freedom that was an important part of the baby boom era

Technology played an important part in the sexual revolution through the development of the birth control pill.

It was made widely available at a relatively low price, through doctor’s prescriptions.

Technology played an important part in the sexual revolution through the development of the birth control pill.

It was made widely available at a relatively low price, through doctor’s prescriptions.

The PillThe Pill

1961, invention of “The Pill” Birth-control was the most popular means

to delay child-bearing Overall, the birth rate sagged 1965-75 Female boomers were the best-educated

women up to that point in history because they chose to continue their careers after marriage

THE BABY BOOM WAS OVER!

1961, invention of “The Pill” Birth-control was the most popular means

to delay child-bearing Overall, the birth rate sagged 1965-75 Female boomers were the best-educated

women up to that point in history because they chose to continue their careers after marriage

THE BABY BOOM WAS OVER!