Babyboomers.com

By BabyBoomers.com Member: Samiram Khatib

Never before had a generation conquered as many hurdles as the baby boomers did. Born in the aftermath of war-end jubilation, they entered adulthood during the Vietnam War that engulfed over sixty thousand of their peers. Angry and disillusioned, they started the Hippie movement, experimented with every fantasy and horror of their times, rebelled against all that was taken for granted by those who preceded them, and stirred the stagnant ideals of the American society. They got away with new music, new tradition, new literature, new style, and seemed invincible and unbeatable. If power is in numbers, there were so many of them, 78 million, to be precise. If & when they desire, they could be the most influential generation ever.

As their first infantry crossed 55-year of age, they might finally face the greatest challenge of their life: To age and fade away like their predecessors, or to grow, control their destiny and create a world where they can enjoy and flourish.

An economy in transition resulted in the advancement of only a slice of the young and professional generation of YUPPIES, who were positioned well enough to face the challenge.

That economy caused a punishing wage decline for non college educated workers while corporate downsizing “Robs many college-educated men of identity and meaning” (Sheehy 4).

The dwindling job market, coupled with the rapidly changing working environment requires a profound change in the attitude and the skills of the older generation, if they desire to remain a force in the work place.

Since the 80s, Corporate America has been sneaking our manufacturing jobs that once sustained this nation, overseas or south to Mexico and the other Central and South American countries. Dirt-cheap labor, armies of unemployed, lack of human rights, let alone labor rights and unions, encouraged the big manufacturers to sneak out of the country and establish new overseas empires. The new job market in America looks lacks the physical economy and looks more like a non-productive collection of consultation firms, an assortment of industrial and criminal investigation establishments, armies of lawyers, judges and law related workers, and a service sector to cater to the highly trained and highly paid executive and consultants of all types. Topping this enchilada is the largest government in the history of the United States with over 20 million happy, secured employees and still counting.

This challenge cast a heavy burden on the historically anti-establishment boomers. They have to adjust their perspective and start yet another revolution where they continue to achieve their dreams and fulfill the tasks of this new long age.

Due to the advancement in medical research and health consciousness, boomers are expected to live an average of eighty-five years and beyond. “One million of the first generation will live past one hundred according to the census bureau,” asserts Gail Sheehy. (2).

Americans born in the 1930s have no problem drawing social security benefits because there are so few of them and so many baby boomers to fill the coffers of social security with retirement and benefit funds, according to the distinguished educator, Harold Hodgkinson, who argues that “the small and shrinking workforce that followed the boomers, generation is not capable of providing the hefty bill for the 78 million boomers” (3).

This increased the burden on the boomers. They have to insure that they remain healthy, employable and most probably self-dependent when it comes to retirement. This Sandwich generation, as Barbara Kantrowitz calls them, has to care for their aging parents and for their own children and worry about retirement at the same time (2).

Unlike their parents and grandparent’s generations, the boomers will not resign to old age. They will not exchange their large home with a tiny dark apartment as they age. They will want to continue with a more affluent lifestyle till their last days.

Patricia Hendershott, professor of finance at Ohio State University, Columbus argues that “due to their higher level of education, and consequently higher income, baby boomers aren’t likely to cut on housing demand. They’re most likely to want to remain in their larger homes, or buy new condominiums and affluent houses in urban areas.” They have to find a way to make sure their income does not dwindle as they age.

Luckily, “There has never been a better time to grow old. Thanks to advancement in public health and medicine.” (Barbara Kantrowitz 1). “As the baby boomers, the generation that refuses to grow old moves through middle age and looks ahead to the next stage of life, they will undoubtedly reshape the way we think about aging and the limits of body and mind,” (2).

How do boomers feel about the challenge? “Buckled up and ready,” responds Cheryl Ladd who turned 58 on July (3).

Boomers present the potential to redefine aging. They may become “the healthiest, most productive, and most innovative group of older people that the world has ever seen,” states Patricia Blanchette (76).

Yet, to face the challenge of surviving, health has to be combined with education. Reinventing one’s self is the real buffer between successful growth and passive aging, “a conscious commitment to continuing self-education and the development of a whole set of strategies,” is a must if they were to face and win that challenge, according to Gail Sheehy (5.)

Reinventing one’s self is especially important for mental and physical health. 56-year old John Guare, playwright of masterpieces such as “Six Degrees of Separation,” reached that conclusion in 2001: “I told my wife I’ve got to reinvent my life, right now, or we’ll be dead. Worse than dead—the walking dead.” He reiterated to Ms. Sheehy.

Part II to here

(Contact Samiram at unkeedo@adelphia.net)

Sources:
“The Baby Boomer’s Aging Won’t Curtail Demand.” USA Today Magazine. April 97:4.

Blanchette, Patricia Lanoie. “Health and aging among baby boomers.” Generations. Spring 98: 76.

Bunce, Alan. “Baby Boomers Reinvade the Student Union.” Christian Science Monitor. 25 Nov. 1996: 13.

Compton, Michele & Candy Schock. “The Nontraditional Student in You.” Women in Business. July/August 2000: 14-17.

“Conversation about Demography with Harold Hodgkinson.” Connection: New England’s Journal of Higher Education & Economic Development. Summer 99:15+.

Gibson, Campbell. “The Four Baby Booms.” American Demographics. Nov. 93:36-37.

Gramigna, Glenn. “The Second Time Around.” The Buffalo News Magazine. 7 Oct. 2001: 20-21

Sheehy, Gail. “New Passages.” U.S News & World Report. 6 Dec. 1995: 62+.

“Save the Baby Boomers.” Techniques: Making Education & Career Connection. May 98: 7.

Kantrowitz, Barbara. “Health For Life.” Newsweek. Fall/Winter 2001 Special Edition: 4.