Cathy A. Rodgers, PhD
In continuing our exploration into how the generations view
their world differently, this post will look at the Baby Boomers. In answering
the 4 questions posed in Scott’s article on the Gen X worldview,
we open up the opportunity to go beyond generational characteristics to those
patterns that may be altered through attention to them. So, as a Boomer, here
are some of what I find true both from research as well as my experience and
those of my friends and colleagues.
Who am I?
As the largest cohort ever in the history of America up to
the middle of the 20th century, Baby Boomers see ourselves as THE
ONES! We were even declared “Man of the Year” by Time Magazine in 1967.
Because there were so many of us, we barely knew anyone who was not a boomer as
we grew up—other than our adult relatives, that is. As such, with the exception
of those whose civil rights we marched for, we have grown up thinking that
everyone is like us with life experiences similar to our own. It is hardly
surprising that we are finding it difficult to understand those who have come
after us.
We were the first generation in which television told us
what we needed to own. In an era of
tremendous product innovation and a booming economy, we began to define
ourselves at least in part as what we had. Whether that took the form of
flowers to put in the barrels of National
Guard rifles; guns with which to hunt; sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll or in later
years mcmansions and fast cars we, more than any cohort before or since, have defined
ourselves by our possessions.
Who do I belong to?
We have never belonged to anyone other than ourselves. We
were barely willing to admit that we were our parents’ children, let alone a
member of our churches’ congregations. We were so much a part of our generation
that we never trusted anyone over 30 and planned to still want to only be with
each other “when I’m 64.”
Even as we experience being the sandwich generation,
pressured between our parents who surprisingly need our help and attention and
our children who do likewise, we continue to search for ways to connect more
fully to ourselves and each other through eastern philosophies and golf
communities, among other approaches.
What shall I create?
While it once looked
like we were romantics in search of a cause (peace, equality, human rights for
all,) when we entered the workforce, we became (much as we would have said it
would never happen,) our jobs. We introduced meritocracy with our competitive
attempts to differentiate ourselves from the thousands just like us and committed
to the success of our organizations. “I am what I do” became our creation.
What does it all mean?
The Baby Boomers
have gone through life with the attention of the world on us. We thought life
was about making the world a better place but are surprised to find that we are
still engaged in questionable wars in a world run by those with questionable
ethics. And, perhaps most importantly, we recognize that they are us.
We find ourselves
approaching retirement and the end of life without having planned sufficiently
for the expanse of time we can now expect to live. Will we live out our time
focused on personal pleasure and improving our golf scores or, will we
recapture the meaning of our early days and regain our commitment to leaving a
legacy, a world better than the one we came in to?
Find about more about Cathy Rodgers or our work at www.workforchange.net
