The Baby Boomer experience is one shared by millions born during a time of hope, growth, and transformation. This was a generation shaped by optimism, rapid social change, and the rise of new technologies that would transform everyday life.
We grew up in a world recovering from war, yet full of promise — a time when the future seemed brighter with every passing year.
What Makes a Baby Boomer?
Baby Boomers are typically defined as those born in the post-war baby boom years, from 1946 to 1964. Some historians divide this into early Boomers (1946–1955) and late Boomers (1956–1964), as the experiences of someone born just after the war can differ greatly from someone who came of age during the late 1970s.
Regardless of the exact year, growing up as a Baby Boomer, what unites us is that we grew up in a world that was:
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Recovering and rebuilding after wartime devastation.
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Experiencing unprecedented prosperity, especially in the Western world.
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Redefining social norms, from civil rights movements to shifting family roles.
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Undergoing a cultural revolution, with music, fashion, and attitudes changing rapidly.
Childhood in the Post-War Years
For the earliest Boomers, childhood often meant:
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Playing outdoors until the streetlights came on.
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Owning few toys, but cherishing every one.
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Living in close-knit communities where everyone knew your name.
Economic growth brought more comfort into homes — washing machines replaced handwashing, televisions became a fixture, and cars became affordable for many families. These weren’t just conveniences; they were symbols of progress.
Coming of Age in a Time of Change
By the time we were teenagers, the world was shifting rapidly (although we probably didn’t realise it at the time):
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Music — From Elvis Presley to The Beatles and beyond, music shaped our attitudes and brought the world closer together.
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Technology — The arrival of colour television, the space race, and the first home computers started to redefine what was possible.
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Social change — We lived through the civil rights movement, the women’s liberation movement, and a growing awareness of environmental issues.
These years shaped our values — a mix of optimism, resilience, and a belief in progress.
The Work and Family Years
By the time most Baby Boomers entered the workforce, the economy was booming. Careers were often long-term, with a clear path for advancement. Home ownership was more attainable, and many Baby Boomers were able to provide their children with more opportunities than they themselves had growing up.
Looking Back — and Forward
The Baby Boomer generation remains one of the most talked-about — sometimes celebrated, sometimes criticised — but always influential. We were the first generation to grow up with television, to witness humans walk on the Moon, and to see technology transform every aspect of daily life.
Today, the Baby Boomer experience is still evolving. Retirement (or semi-retirement) has given many the freedom to travel, take up new hobbies, or reconnect with old passions. At the same time, our generation carries the memories, lessons, and resilience of a life lived through unprecedented change.
This blog is my way of celebrating and recording those times — not just the big headlines, but the everyday moments that made our lives unique. My “What Happened In“ year-by-year series is a kind of memory trigger, an aide-memoire for myself and others to look back and remember where we were when history unfolded.
