Baby boomer

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The term baby boomer most commonly refers to people born during the years 1946 to 1964 worldwide.^[1][2] In Canada it is anyone born between 1960 and 1980.^[3] Australia identifies baby boomers as those born between 1946 and 1961.^[3] Generally, after 1960 the birth rate started falling.^[4] In 1951, Sylvia F. Porter, a columnist for the New York Post, first used the term baby boom for the rapid rise in birthrate after Word War II.^[5]

From 1945 to 1964 about seventy-seven million babies were born in the United States.^[6] In the 1950s baby boomers bought Mouse-ear hats after they watched "The Mickey Mouse Club". They danced to rock and roll and idolized singers like Elvis Presley. Hula hoops and Barbie dolls were wildly popular.^[7]

By the 1960s many baby boomers were teenagers. They spent nearly $20 million on things including food, clothing, and recorded music.^[8] Businesses were eager to find ways to meet their demands. By the 1970s entire industries were changing because of baby boomers.^[8]

In 1998 the baby boomers began to discuss about their end-of-life issues; but many commentators think they have became burdens for their children and society.^[9] According to the 2011 Associated Press and LifeGoesStrong.com surveys:

60% lost value in investments because of the economic crisis 42% are delaying retirement 25% claim they will never retire (currently still working)^[10]

The oldest baby boomers were 76 years old in 2022 and one in five Americans will be 65 years old in 2030. Many people believe they will become a stress on social welfare systems.^[11]