The World Baby Boomers Were Born Into
Baby Boomers were born into a world that was changing rapidly after the end of WWII. Discoveries and new technologies were being announced all the time. While all this new knowledge was improving conditions for millions of people worldwide, it was also creating an entire generation of people willing to question discrimination, politics and social inequalities.
Even though they were just babies or toddlers when WWII ended(some had still to be born, like me), world events were structuring an environment that would nurture a generation that would be free thinkers, unafraid of hard work and willing to challenge most attitudes that had been around for centuries.
Baby Boomers have been called the “Me Generation,” over-achievers and obsessively creative. The world changes, affecting the environment they grew up in would make giant waves for decades as Boomers became leaders in their industries and businesses.
Lets Look at the world Baby Boomers grew up in.
The world ignored warnings from Winston Churchill and watched the Soviet Union create the Iron Curtain and begin a long oppression of Soviet citizens and Eastern Europe. The Nuremburg trials convicted and sentenced oppressors to death.
When peace seemed to be restored in the world, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated to extinguish his message of peace and love. Czech Communists overran Czechoslovakia, taking control of that country, and Israel gave protection to over 200,000 refugees from Eastern Europe.
More despair spread rapidly over other countries as Baby Boomers started growing up and taking notice of the world events.
These events were discussed on the radio, in school and on the News clips before the Saturday feature at the local cinemas. In England they were always on the news reels at our local Saturday club.
For the first time, Baby Boomers could see the horrors of war and, even worse, political oppression all over the world. While munching on boxes of popcorn, before television was a “have-to” gadget in their homes, they watched all these world events unfold.
Television brought the assassinations of Martin Luther King, and Jack and Robert Kennedy. Sputnik shocked the entire world as the Soviets ushered the space age into being and the Baby Boomer years ended.
Baby Boomers and their Parents
There was a true conflict between the old traditions and the understandings the parents of Baby Boomers held and that of their children.
Boomers gave birth to new attitudes about political and religious oppression based on colour, location, gender and beliefs. They marched, protested, joined worldwide assistance organisations, found ways to feed the hungry, spread access to medical care and set about making their world a kinder, gentler place.
There was also the “free love”, the music, mods and rockers, drugs, sex and alcohol.
Old ways of doing things were kicked to the curb in long-time industries, businesses and education institutions. They were intelligent, highly creative and not bound by old standards or rigid methods of thinking about problems.
They married, raised families and saved for their retirement. In their own way, and in the main, they changed the world with compassion and a steadfast dedication to doing what was right.
Baby Boomers might be ageing rapidly, but don’t ever discount them. They are still creative, compassionate and unafraid of making waves.
I know, I am one, still at it and making my own waves working on the internet.
This is a short blog post and so not everything is covered here. However, if you are a Baby Boomer reading this, I would love to hear from you with any comments you have. If you are younger, then I hope the blog post, The World Baby Boomers Were Born Into helps you to understand us a bit better.
Join the conversation and leave a comment below.
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From the front of the Baby Boomer wave, I applaud your presentation on our generation. As a country music fan, I appreciate what is now an old song “old hippie” by the Bellamy Brothers which is a musical commentary on the hippy generation you refer to, although I was too busy getting married and having children at the time.
Thank you Ron. It’s only when you look back you realise all the things that happened in such a short space of time. Thank again for your comments.
Lynda
Quite the generation!
We have been loved and not so loved Justin. I wouldn’t have missed the wild 60’s for anything, lol
I’m with you Lynda… growing up in the 50’s and 60’s was quite an experience… wouldn’t change it for the world….
Thank you Ron, totally agree with you! Thanks for commenting