There is talk of a baby boom when in a period of time there is a notable increase in the birth rate. In this sense, the most well-known baby boom in recent history is the one that occurred in the world, especially in the countries of the Anglo-Saxon world, from the end of World War II until approximately 1965. In this way, the generation of people born in this stage is known as the baby boomer. In 2017, the baby boomer generation is between 52 and 72 years old.
Main sociological aspects of the baby boomer generation
This generation has led civil movements for feminism, gay rights and racial integration.
Among the historical moments that have marked the baby boomers, we can highlight the following: the cold war, the arrival of man on the moon, the fall of communism or the revolution of '68.
From a technological and scientific point of view, this generation has experienced the birth of new technologies, satellite communications, the decipherment of the genetic code or organ transplants.
From the perspective of work, most baby boomers have established themselves in their work activity and have gone from working with a typewriter to operating with a computer keyboard. During the baby boom decades, women have abandoned their role as housewives and have gradually assumed work responsibilities.
Culturally they have a series of references, such as the Woodstock concert, disco music, the hippie lifestyle, the American television series of the 70s or the literature of the Latin American boom.
The values of the baby boomer generation
According to most sociological studies, the baby boomer generation is described in the following general terms: it values family, traditions, individual effort, and financial independence.
The study of the different generations and marketing strategies
After the baby boomer generation, others have come, such as generation X, Y or Z. Sociologists study the values and cultural traits of all of them. The information obtained has an evident historical and sociological value. However, large commercial brands are also interested in them and try to offer them everything that may interest them as potential consumers.
Photos: Fotolia - Olivier Le Moal / Echiechi
