RASCAL REPORT
An Eye On Baby Boomers Since 2022
“If you are pining for youth I think it produces a stereotypical old man because you only live in memory, you live in a place that doesn’t exist. I think aging is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person that you always should have been.”
– David Bowie
Generational cheat sheet
A brief overview of each generation’s demographics, financial data and cultural milestones. Here’s how boomers are described: “The term “Baby Boom” reflects America’s post-WW II population explosion. This generation was born into an era of great prosperity and technological advancement — including manned space travel — but endured five wars in their lifetime (as well as the threat of nuclear war). Boomers are noted for valuing personal freedom, and their era was marked by rapid cultural transformation, including the Civil Rights movement, the rise of rock ‘n roll, and the women’s movement. The generation is so numerous that demographers predict that by 2034, for the first time in U.S. history, older adults will outnumber children.”
Millennials cop to 19 boomer things they do. It turns out they are doing a lot of boomer shit. Here’s what they had to say:
“I find myself judging what kids are wearing today…I’m 31”
“I’m starting to ignore new music and just listen to the tried and true”
“I’m no longer adventurous in my food choices”
Have we become our parents?
Is it inevitable that we view younger generations as our parents viewed us? Thinking back, our parents didn’t get it. They were out of touch with our music, hair styles, clothing choices and much more. How many times did your folks tell you had it made? Then boast about how rough they had it. Life was different for us than younger generations today. We drank from the hose. Play dates were not arranged. We rode bikes everywhere without helmets. We hitchhiked without fear. Health Ed was no more than a description of food groups. Is it any wonder that we don’t understand or accept many of the changes entering our world?
14 dog names boomers can’t get enough of
Whereas Millennials seem keen on giving their pets human names like Luna or Max, Baby Boomers are much more likely to look toward pop culture for dog name inspiration. For some that means harkening back to their youth and a particular comic strip pup skilled in aeronautics. For others it means popping on some vinyl and revisiting the hits that dominated the air waves in their early adulthood. No matter where they come from, these are the names the Boomer generation is totally obsessed with.
Laying the groundwork for lasting cultural change
Talkin’ ‘bout my generation. All around was flower-power, long hair, beards, afros, lava lamps, love beads, kaftans, afghans, free love, the Pill, tie-dyed fabrics, communes, rainbow-coloured VW vans, protest marches, sit-ins, open-air concerts, Transcendental Meditation, bell-bottoms, granny glasses, miniskirts, incense, psychedelic posters… and really bad poetry. And as ridiculous as many of these memories seem today, the 1960s did indeed represent a significant turning point in our history – with aftershocks throughout the decades and positive impact on the present day.