| YEARS |
GENERATION NAME |
Baby Boom Generation
1946 – 1964
The Baby Boom generation (also known as Boomers) are most often the children of the Greatest Generation and the Silent Generation. Boomers are the parents of Millennials. Boomers still make up a large part of society world-wide, second only to Millennial generation. Boomers currently range in age from 60 to 78 years.
Following the Second World War, Boomers were born into a generation of economic prosperity and significant advancements in technology, medicine, and education. Boomers are well known for their participation in social movements particularly in the United States in post-secondary environments. Boomers were the first generation to use computers and cellular phones moving away from typewriters and land line communication. Higher standards of living were the norm.
This time period is known for the youth bulge where birth rates sored worldwide causing countries like China to take drastic measures like the one child policy. Boomers are most known during the 1960’s for activism, social change, diversity, and the pursuit of freedom brought about by decades of riots, boycotts, antiwar demonstrations, and civil rights protests.
Some famous Boomers are Oprah Winfrey, Elton John, Bill Murray, Samuel L. Jackson, Cher, Bills Gates, Donald Trump, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jordan, King Charles III, Wayne Gretzky, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Madonna, and the list goes on.
Boomers are known for the following characteristics: self-assured, strong work ethic, value relationship-based business, and prefer face-to-face or telephone engagements. Boomers often relate who they are by way of what they do, this being a defining characteristic of their identity.
Boomers grew up and lived much of their lives questioning authority and asking the question, “Why.” This often infuriated their parents who rarely questioned authority figures. Boomers may appear to be openly cynical of things they don’t relate to.
Boomers often stay in the workforce long past traditional retirement as they challenge aging. In work environments, Boomers can be less adaptive and collaborative than other generations. Boomers often work long hours, are susceptible to the risk of burnout, and have less work-life balance than other generational cohorts. Boomers often expect others to emulate their work ethic in business. |
