The Big Baby Boom In 1945, World War Il came to an end and the soldiers returned to their homes in America. The young men began to get jobs, find partners and marry, and start a family with them. This had all happened during the same time and caused birth rates in America to sky rocket. Over 76 million babies were born between 1946 and 1964 and this generation is known as the “Baby Boomers. ” According to author Paula Schleis, “They have lived through at least six decades, straddling two centuries and two millenia” (Schleis).
This means that they have lived through any big and important events in history and some even took part in those historical events. This generation of babies makes up nearly twenty-five percent of today’s U. S population “Making up nearly one fourth of the U. S” (Marketwired “Holiday”). Baby boomers definitely did not have it easier than today’s generation because of the troubles they went through. It is no secret that baby boomers are getting older by the minute. Some people from this specific generation say that the worst thing about being a baby boomer is their age.
They are starting to age more and more each day and experience things that they have ever dealt with before like arthritis, aches and pains, wrinkles, and more health issues. Because of this, many people born during the baby boom exercise and eat healthy to stay young looking and competitive in the work force. Also, most anti-aging beauty products and gym memberships are sold to more elderly people because of this reason. But that is not enough for some, some people even go to the extreme and get surgery done to keep their faces looking young and healthy.
Dr Roy David states “Facelift and eyelid surgery remain some of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States” (Marketwired “Baby”). In 2014, over 500,000 facial surgeries were performed. Many procedures that were done, were performed on men surprisingly. In fact, 20 percent of surgeries done are on men compared to only 10 percent about a decade ago (Marketwired “Baby”). Older men often get hair transplants done because they are insecure about their balding but women also get hairline transplants too due to the thinning of hair in the front.
It is known that after healing, people would never know that someone got work done and they would be ready to return to the work force looking young as ever. Many aby boomers have been working all of their lives so they may have permanent bags under their eyes. Droopy eyelids and baggy under eyes are known to make people look older than they really are and that is why some elders get a blepharoplasty procedure done; when a surgeon lifts the patient’s eyelids. In Dr.
Ray’s opinion, “Eyelid surgery is one of the most rewarding facial procedures baby boomers can have done” and “Many baby boomers look ten years younger after a good blepharoplasty procedure”(Marketwired “Baby”). Everybody has their opinions on baby boomers and whether or not they believe they had it etter than others. Some believe that baby boomers did not have it easier because of how hard that they have worked to build today’s society along with history. Also because some are still working and are having financial issues. But others think differently because some had advantages like free medical care, housing, or a college education.
This leads to a big controversial question that is often brought up which is “Do baby boomers really have it better than everyone else? “. The people that do not believe baby boomers had it easier than other generations, have very valid reasons as to why not. Some of the reasons may nclude retirement, housing, and medical care. Many baby boomers now are facing their retirement ages but are having some trouble doing so. A problem that occurs often is them not having enough savings to retire and enjoy the rest of their lives how they would like to.
According to the New Zealand Herald, “Less than half (46 percent) said they were well set up for retirement, although those aged 65-69 were the most prepared with 70 percent feeling confident” (Baby Boomers Retirement). Almost 50 percent of today’s elders are all saved up for retirement but that still leaves over half of the baby boomer eneration not ready to quit their job. Many continue to work till this day to support their children and grandchildren with a home and other necessities like a college education and proper health care that is needed.
If baby boomers had it would they still be working today? The answer is no; most of them would not be having the issues they do now if they had everything handed to them like some say. The article Baby Boomers’ Retirement Wealth a Myth, states “It’s clear there are some baby boomers who are relatively wealthy and asset rich but there are a larger number who are or will be under financial tress in their retirement” (Baby Boomers Retirement). This piece of evidence supports the fact that most people born in the baby boom generation are having some difficulties retiring.
Boomers did not have it the easiest because if they did, most of them would not be going through what they are right now. Another reason this specific generation did not have the smoothest ride is because they helped build today’s society. The Press’s article states “The baby boomer generations taxes and work effort contributed massively to the nation’s electricity generation and infrastructure, state housing, railway system, elecommunications system, health services, motorways, shipping, agriculture, science, education institutions, television networks and broadcasting infrastructure.. (Baby Boomers Had It Easy).
Without baby boomers here to contribute, this nation would not enjoy what it does today. Some of the rights that this country has would not be present if it was not for their work effort and contributions. According to Paula Schleis, “They also marched for civil rights and fought for women’s equality.. ” (Schleis). Baby boomers changed today’s society for easy, the better and how people live everyday life. Although much of oday’s society believe that they did not have it easier, some still do.
In Times, The United Kingdom’s article, it states “Many of those born between 1956 and 1961, enjoyed free university education”. (Commons Inquiry Asks). A good percentage of people believe that baby boomers had things handed to them, especially now because they are now elders and enjoy senior citizen discounts. Also because most millennials pay for their college education, nbut the quote above states that some from the baby boom generation did not have to go through the trouble of doing so. The quote above supports the opinion that aby boomers had things handed to them by stating they had free education along with other things.
Since the members of the baby boom generation are mostly elders, they sometimes receive free or discounted medical care. If someone is 65 years or older and/or has some type of disability, that person is automatically qualified for free federal medicare: “Medicare age of 65” (Schleis). This is another main reason as to why some may Overall, baby believe elders have it better than others. boomers did not have it easier than others and there are more valid reasons as to why they did not then there are as to why hey did have it easier.
They contributed to many big factors in this society like today’s education, rights, and careers. Even though the people that do believe that the baby boom generation had it easier, have some valid reasons, most of them do not have evidence to support it. They have worked hard to build what society enjoys today. In the near future, if society does not appreciate the contributions that baby boomers have provided, people may not realize how easy they have it and will take advantage of what was built for them. Society should appreciate what the baby boomers have done and see how much they have contributed.
