BABY BOOMERS

What Does BABY BOOMERS Mean?

The Quick Answer

Baby boomers are people born between 1946 and 1964. They were preceded by the Silent Generation and followed by Generation X (Gen X). They are typically parents of children born in the latter part of Gen X and of Millennials (also known as Gen Y).

Born During the Baby Boom

Inherited the World... and Ruined It

However, to younger generations (and especially to the so-called "iKids") Boomers are often seen as arrogant and conceited. They have been accused of "breaking" politics, sneering at younger generations, and failing to accept responsibility for the problems they helped create. Many believe Boomers contributed significantly to wealth and social inequality and that they have created a world plagued with environmental and economic challenges then left it for the younger generations to sort it out. In fact, the term "Boomer" is often used by younger people as an insult, to criticize what they see as the outdated and narrow-minded attitudes, behaviors, and political views of the generation that is currently holding most of the levers of power.

Boomers were instrumental in creating the consumer culture and played key roles in significant political and social movements. However, their legacy is marred by accusations of overconsumption and unsustainable practices that have led to the current environmental crisis. They are also held responsible for the wars and conflicts that younger generations are now fighting and have had to fight in recent decades. Common observations about Boomers include:

• Arrogance and Conceit: Boomers are often perceived as dismissive of the struggles and opinions of younger generations.
• Political Impact: They have been blamed for polarizing politics and creating a divisive political climate.
• Economic and Social Inequality: Their policies and practices are seen as contributing to the growing gap between the rich and the poor.
• Environmental Impact: Their overconsumption and resistance to sustainable practices are major contributors to the environmental crisis.
• Digital Incompetence: While applauding the ability of some Boomers to be able to utilize digital devices to navigate the modern world, too many are caught up in reactionary social media bubbles and are too easily influenced by populist politicians and online influencers.

While Baby Boomers have made notable contributions to society, their legacy is contentious, marked by significant criticisms regarding their responsibility for various global issues. Their impact continues to be a source of debate and conflict among younger generations, who bear the brunt of the problems Boomers have caused.

Key Takeaways

• Birth Years: 1946-1964.
• Defining Positive Traits: Strong work ethic, pursuit of stability, significant societal contributions.
• Defining Negative Traits: Arrogance, selfishness, resistance to change.

Image for BABY BOOMERS

When I write BABY BOOMERS, I mean this:

Baby Boomers were born during the Post-World War II Baby Boom.

Summary of Key Points

We have summarized the key points in the table below:

BABY BOOMERS
Definition:	Generation Born during the Post—World War II Baby Boom
Type:	Word
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults, Teenagers, and Under 13s

An Academic Look at BABY BOOMERS

• A new meaning for an existing word (e.g., sick, tweet, viral).
• A completely new word (e.g., fomo, selfie, emoji).
• A new combination of existing words, or words with prefixes or suffixes (e.g., soyboy, digital detox, oversharers, antifragile).

Neologisms are often the result of changes in technology, culture, or social norms, and they can be found in fields such as science, technology, politics, and popular culture. Some neologisms become widely used and enter mainstream vocabulary, while others remain obscure or limited to specific communities or contexts.

Example of BABY BOOMERS Used in a Text

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