The baby boom ended with a significant decline in fertility rates in the 1960s and 1970s, later called the baby bust by demographers. The baby boom was most prominent among educated and economically active women. In most of the Western countries, progression to a third child and beyond declined, which, coupled with aforementioned increase in transition to first and second child, resulted in higher homogeneity in family sizes. The increase in fertility was driven primarily by a decrease in childlessness and an increase in parity progression to a second child. This terminology led to those born during this baby boom being nicknamed the baby boomer generation. The term baby boom is often used to refer to this particular boom, generally considered to have started immediately after World War II, although some demographers place it earlier or during the war. The middle of the 20th century was marked by a significant and persistent increase in fertility rates in many countries of the world, especially in the Western world. The US Census Bureau defines baby boomers as those born between mid-1946 and mid-1964 (shown in red). 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.United States birth rate (births per 1000 population). 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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