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Beautiful and Obscure Words Quiz

Which of the following words means "composed of both good and evil"?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

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Beautiful and Obscure Words Quiz Which of the following words means "composed of both good and evil"? Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way. TAKE THE QUIZ

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Definition of baby boom
: a marked rise in birthrate (as in the U.S. following the end of World War II)
Examples of baby boom in a Sentence
There was a baby boom in the U.S. after World War II.

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Who are the Baby Boomers?

Baby boomers are a designated group of people who were born between 1946 and 1964. They are labeled as 'baby boomers' because during this period of time, there was a statistically significant increase in the number of births that occurred. In 1946, the first year of the 'boom,' there were 3.4 million babies born in the U.S., a record number during a 1-year period. These numbers steadily increased to roughly four million babies born each year between 1953 and 1964. By the end of 1964, when the trend started to decline, 76.4 million people were born during that 22-year period, which comprised about one-quarter of the U.S. population.

Reasons for the Boom

Though there is no definitive answer as to what caused the baby boom, there are some economic, social and psychological factors that may have combined to create this surge in births between 1946 and 1964. Some historians have put forth the idea that the baby boom was directly related to the end of World War II in 1945. Once the war was over, there was an overall optimistic mood in the country and a period of affluence in the U.S. economy. For example, many women previously employed to help create and supply the material goods necessary for the military were no longer needed. This opened up the opportunity for many of these women to leave the workforce, stay home and start a family.

Many couples, who were uncertain about their future during the war because many of the consumable goods were rationed, now felt confident about moving forward with having children. This confidence stemmed from greater access to consumable goods and higher wages to afford a better standard of living for them and their children.

This prosperity was evident in the rise of suburban living. During the 1950s, developers were buying up land on the outskirts of major cities and building modest, inexpensive houses. For many returning soldiers who could qualify for subsidized low-cost mortgages, it was often less expensive to buy one of these homes in the suburbs than it was to rent an apartment in an urban area. Not only was it less expensive, but these tract homes were often more spacious inside and even afforded some land around the home. The larger homes also enticed couples to have more children because they now had the money and the living space to accommodate a larger family. By the 1960s, suburban living was an extremely popular option for many Baby Boomers.

Defining Characteristics

Baby boomers have often been characterized by the significant social changes they have created. For example, the period of the 1960s was a time of great political and social change in government. In contrast to WWII, where the country rallied around the war effort, baby boomers led the protest against U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War on many college campuses in the late 1960s and early 70s.

In the 60s, the baby boomers were quickly labeled as nonconformists due to their unconventional causes. Nonconformists were known for going against social norms, and some of their actions included a liberal expression of their sexuality, experimentation with drugs, the renewed interest in women's rights, recognition of environmental concerns and a preference for rock and roll music. All of these, among others, shaped and defined the baby boomers' generational identity.

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age & characteristics - video & lesson transcript | study.com

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What Are Baby Boomers? - Definition, Age & Characteristics - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com

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Baby boomers are a designated group of people who were born between 1946 and 1964. They are labeled as 'baby boomers' because during this period of time, there was a statistically significant increase in the number of births that occurred.

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Baby boomers are a designated group of people who were born between 1946 and 1964. They are labeled as 'baby boomers' because during this period of time, there was a statistically significant increase in the number of births that occurred.

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A hospital nursery full of newborns in the coal mining town of Richlands, Virginia, August 1946. Photograph by Russell Lee, image courtesy National Archives and Records Administration

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To the particular industries; medical or medical services sector.

orthopedic manufacturers

affordable care homes

medical device makers pharmaceutical manufacturers

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Included economic, social and psychological factors to create this surge in births between 1946 and 1964:
 It was directly related to the end of World War II in 1945. Once the war was over, there was an overall optimistic mood in the country and a period of affluence in the U.S. economy.
 For example, many women previously employed to help create and supply the material goods necessary for the military were no longer needed. This opened up the opportunity for many of these women to leave the workforce, stay home and start a family.
 Many couples, who were uncertain about their future during the war because many of the consumable goods were rationed, now felt confident about moving forward with having children.
 The larger homes also enticed couples to have more children because they now had the money and the living space to accommodate a larger family. By the 1960s, suburban living was an extremely popular option for many Baby Boomers.

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They represent the 76 million people born between 1946 and 1964.

They were born during the post World War II baby boom.

They rejected and redefined traditional values.

They are also the wealthiest, most active and have the most disposable income for food, apparel and retirement programs.

The oldest baby boomers today are already in their 60s.