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Depending upon research, the “boom” occurred from 1946-1964 in the United States and from 1947-1966 in Canada with Britain having two different timeframes of increased birthrates. Not surprisingly, about one-in-three Canadians or one-third of the population is made up of these boomers; of course, the numbers change for the United States, Britain and elsewhere. It must be noted that there are many variations within this populace because they evolved over an eighteen to twenty year span. An early boomer, born just after the war in the late fourties, would certainly have different distinctions than those mid to late boomers born in the fifties or sixties. There’s so much to explore, distinguish and clarify when it comes to ‘boomer diversity”. It seems there’s much to contemplate when it comes to how this generation is impacting society today. Some important considerations include the possible strain on healthcare systems, a shortage of “old knowledge” labour skills due to retirement, social and financial security issues along with appropriate housing needs. In the very near future, government agencies and the private sector will be scrambling to provide products and services to this large, aging population like never before. Strolling Down Boomer Lane…
Recalling childhood days in the sixties, life seemed so simple and unhurried. No doubt, parents had complicated issues and worries, but they had a way of keeping them to themselves; they discussed adult issues with adults. Children’s rights and voices were controlled by parents who believed that “children were to be seen and not heard”. Divorce was rare and birth control unheard of. “Street proofing” consisted of being told “not to talk to or accept anything from strangers”. A child who misbehaved in public would certainly risk the wrath of being reprimanded by any number of other mothers who’d witnessed it. Manners were of the utmost importance and chivalry was alive as men opened doors for women. At school, boys and girls often had separate entrances and separate sides of the playground at recess. Your “dress code” included saddle shoes and penny loafers with high-top sneakers for boys. Boys sported crew cuts and girls had short bangs that sometimes went along with a Toni home permanent. You had your school clothes and then your “Sunday best” with suit jackets and bow ties for boys; crinoline dresses with bonnets and gloves for girls. Extracurricular activities consisted of piano lessons or dance class but never both. Kids actually played with toys like Barbie or GI Joe dolls, yo-yos, marbles, jacks and yes, paper dolls; they spent hours with games like Snakes ‘N Ladders, Twister and Ker-Plunk. Neighbourhood kids played tag or hide-n-seek out in the street, literally unattended,More >>>
Reminiscent of Olden Days…
The wholesomeness of small children always makes me sentimental, making it easy to wander off to distant times of innocence--when we were young ourselves. Perhaps it is a bit self-righteous to wax eloquent about the olden days, but I guess that is when you truly know that you’re a rustychick. So pardon my reminiscing… As children, we were part of a generation of candid morals, modest clothing, basic arithmetic, uncomplicated satisfactions and simple ideals that molded our early years. Among these were usually one family car, one television probably black and white, one day to do grocery shopping and one set of parents. We lived with frugal attitudes about money, and trips to the ‘plaza’ were saved for necessities and not entertainment to overcome boredom. Malls were unheard of, so were shopping sprees. Clothes were ‘handed down’ throughout the family, until fabrics were worn thin and often patched. Overall, things were quality-made to last, especially appliances, furniture and jewellery. Pride of workmanship seemed to outshine variety. Back ‘then’ we could hardly imagine the disposable, drive thru attitudes of today. Yet, we did help to create it, didn’t we? Where will it all go from here? What memories will the children of today have? I doubt many memories will include that longed for, yet never received, toy like an Easy Bake oven that didn’t appear under the Christmas Tree, or shiny new bicycle which stayed in the storefront window. Yet these disappointmentsMore >>>
Extended Family...
It was not uncommon during the 40s, 50s and 60s to have an aunt, uncle or grandparent living within your household or close-at-hand and referred to as extended family. I owe the survival of my existence to one such family member, my grandmother or Nana as we called her. A one-room schoolhouse teacher and wife to a Presbyterian minister, she moved all over Western Canada and Northern Ontario wherever grandpa preached. She was small of stature, very stern and hard-working, having raised five children, one of which was my mother. She always wore a dark-coloured or print dress with an apron over top and black, thick-heeled, laced shoes that took on a shape to show that she had bunions on her toes. For some reason, I always felt she’d had a hard life and I’ve since learned of some of her hardships; from surviving the Pandemic Flu in 1918, to birthing and losing two babies and then raising my mother, a victim of Meningitis that left her somewhat challenged, Nana had her hands full. As she was a teacher, you could count on her for some instruction or knowledge. She must have had a very difficult time teaching my mother how to knit, crochet and embroider because mom was childlike, wore pop-bottle-thick eyeglasses with hands that shook nonstop; the after-effects of her bout with Meningitis. When we were old enough, she taught my sister and I how to knit, crochet and cork as well. For those who have no idea of what corking is:More >>>
The "Boom" Time Capsule
Life Changes Before & After WWII:
World Issues, Politics & News:
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