The first baby boomers were born right after World War II, when the United States was celebrating life, liberty, and prosperity. Getting married, settling down, and raising kids were the goals for young people, remaining so into the 1960s. Everyone knew of Dr. Benjamin Spock, pediatrician, psychiatrist, and author. His work was widely read and it served as the gospel for rearing children. Logically, pediatrics was an expanding field of practice for physicians.
Because of the 76 million children born between 1946 and 1964, emphasis in all aspects of life was placed on meeting the needs of young people. Examples of this are the television sitcoms of the `50s and `60s, which revolved exclusively around the escapades of the children and teenagers in a family. Anyone who remembers “Father Knows Best” or “Leave It To Beaver” will recall that the personalities of the parents were only revealed through meeting the needs of the children. A youth-oriented sociaety was evolving.
As the baby boomers moved into adulthood in the early 1960s, the United States entered the conflict in Vietnam. College students and other young war protesters proclaimed that no one over 30 could be trusted. Deep rifts develop between many of these young people and their parents and other citizens.
As the baby boomers reach their `40s, it is interesting to observe the changes that are occurring in today`s society. An example is the growing number of physical fitness programs for people over 40. Also, in contrast to 20 or 30 years ago, more television programs and magazinez highlight older adults and their achievements and problems.
No doubt the general status of aging people will improve as the gigantic population of baby boomers begins to reach age 65. An economy geared to meeting the needs of older citizens is inevitable.
Reference :
Farrell J : Nursing Care of the Older Person, J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, 1990.
