If you were born between 1946 and 1964 you are a member of huge generation. The new financial stability post WWII allowed this generation to focus on exploring themselves and their world. They helped stop a war, fought for civil rights, explored sexuality, altered the role of women in society, married later, divorced more and had fewer children than any previous generation. Baby boomers rebalanced society to reflect their view of the world. On June 22, 1944 Congress signed the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act. By providing help for more than 3.5 million home mortgages, the bill encouraged the rapid growth of suburbia. It created unheard of opportunity by making a college education attainable by veterans of any class, race, or religion.  2.2 million people used this benefit to enter higher education. They become the most educated generation in history.

Though very different events formed the perceptions of each of the two baby boomer cohorts, both groups are marked by change, challenge and questioning of authority. They share a devotion to hard work and youthfulness and thirst for experience, learning and adventure. . The leading edge baby boomer cohort born from 1946 to 1954 shows experimental individualism, a free spirited approach and social cause orientation. The baby boomers born from 1955 to 1964 are less optimistic, have a greater distrust of government and a more general cynicism.

The baby boomer generation has transformed, family and work patterns, films, religion and politics. Health advances have created the possibility for a more robust old age. No other generation has shown as significant an influence on the overall social and political fabric of our culture.