TOP 10 BABY BOOMER MYTHS
greatplaces The Baby Boom generation, born between 1946 and 1964, is the largest in American history, its numbers nearly 80 million—or about one-third of the country’s population. Its size—and buying power—have captured the attention of marketers, eager to capture the interest of this generally affluent group. Along with the mystique of the Baby Boomers, a variety of myths have sprung up over the years. Here are some of them—and the reality!
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Myth #1. Boomers are all the same.
Although the media claim that the Boomer generation is a monolith, fact is, more changes occur during our lives between the ages of 50 and 65 than at any other time—careers, family, finance, health, all of which can significantly impact on attitudes, life goals, and consumer behavior. -
Myth #2. Boomers are the "Me” Generation
Uh-uh. Boomers are caring for others, including their own parents—the "Greatest Generation" and their own offspring, and 70 percent report that they have a responsibility to make the world "a better place." -
Myth #3. Boomers are technologically challenged.
In fact, Boomers were in the workforce during the advent of computers, e-mail and the Internet, and they’re the first to understand the importance of technology. In fact, more than 80 percent of Boomers routinely use the Internet, and they use it for instant messaging, downloading music and videos, financial activities, and online gaming. -
Myth #4. Boomers are winding down.
Nope! The typical Boomer regularly engages in at least 10 activities. More than one-half take at least one trip annually, and 22 million of them attend live sporting events. -
Myth #5. All Boomers are wealthy.
Although collectively Boomers are America’s wealthiest generation in history, fewer than 10 percent are considered to be affluent; indeed, 25 percent of Boomers have no savings or investments.
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TOP 10 BABY BOOMER MYTHS at 5/31/2011 7:52 PM
My father had his first child (me) when he was 35 years old. Many of our fathers who lived through the war while they were fighting the war and not at home making children between 1940 and 1945, This means some of us were just born 2 to 5 years later than we could have been. My step dad had 17 brothers and sisters while I had 5 spread out between 1946 to 1964. The Great Depression also probably affected the birth rate of the generation before us.
Its great to have the identification of Baby Boomers but this designation should not be used to destroy our Social Security and Medicare benefits. It must also be remembered that those of use who were born in 1946 survived the flu epidemics, polio, measles, mumps, chicken pox, DDT and other insecticides and herbiscides,, asbestos in our homes, radiation from atmospheric Atomic testing
mercury in our thermometers and lead it the paint of our toys and crips, and who knows what other testing in the name of defeating communism.
Did this make us healthier or are all of these chickens coming home to roost as we age into our 70s and 80s.
On the average the Boomer's parents had fewer children than their parents many of us (me excluded) had fewer children than our parents did.
Are there really more of us then ever before or are we the first generation reaching retirement age that has paid Social Security taxes for our benefits all of our working lives. The younger people in my father's generation born after 1918 were 17 in 1935 but their Social Security taxes were low. Of course wages were too. But much of their working lives their taxes were low and there wasn't a computerized Social Security tax system most of this time to make sure they paid social security on all of their wages. There were more jobs under the table before the 1960s where workers were paid cash and there was not automatic withdrawal of Social Security and Medicare taxes were employers and employees. We paid Social Security and Medicare taxes on more of our earned income than the generation before us.
We are not the problem the generation after us is. What will they do if they succeed in destroying Social Security and Medicare when they have to pick up the tab for their parents and maybe grand parents. Will there there be anyway for the generation that destroys the safety net for retire people to have money left over for their own. Or will they let their parents die in the streets or live starving in tents.
Myth #10. Boomers are retiring early. at 3/15/2011 5:28 PM
Myth #9. Boomers are downsizing their homes. at 3/15/2011 5:28 PM
Myth #8. Most Boomers are married empty nesters. at 3/15/2011 5:27 PM
Myth #7. You can capture Boomers with mainstream advertising. at 3/15/2011 5:26 PM
Myth #6. Boomers are brand loyal and will not switch. at 3/15/2011 5:26 PM
Myth #4. Boomers are winding down. at 3/15/2011 5:23 PM
Myth #3. Boomers are technologically challenged. at 3/15/2011 5:21 PM
Myth #2. Boomers are the "Me” Generation at 3/15/2011 5:20 PM
Myth #1. Boomers are all the same. at 3/15/2011 5:16 PM
TOP 10 BABY BOOMER MYTHS at 2/08/2011 12:50 PM