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Lifestyles of Baby Boomers

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After all the chaos of World War II, the United States experienced unpredictable population growth that created enormous changes in America. It shaped the social and political landscape of the country, and reformed how and where many people lived. During 1946 to 1964 with the peak occurring in 1957, it elevated birth rate, unparalleled in America history, and added more than 70 million babies by the end of the 1950's. This era was known as, “Baby Boom”. These baby boomers were also known as, “Sandwich Babies,” or, “War Babies.” They were lucky to face a time great prosperity and calm in America after the devastating Second World War. The Baby Boom allowed America’s economy to expand, changed migration patterns and had an impact on pop culture. The economy of the 1950’s saw major changes, which in turn transformed the live of the American people. But some lives were changed better, and some were not. Also for overall 30 years, the economy was not actually experiencing a boom. However, after the troops that served in the World War II returned home, the nation experienced the Baby Boom. As the family increased, they needed bigger houses which eventually creates more jobs like contractors and companies who will supply them with materials. This directly affected the economy during the Baby Boom in 1950's. Most of the malls, stores, fast-food restaurants, motels and even Hotel-casinos were erected. The whole daily life for everyone was revolutionized, including women. Women joined the workforce and contributed to their family’s income. “The number of employed women reached new highs. By end of the 1950's, nearly 35 percent of all women held jobs, including 7.5 million mothers with children under 17” (Goldstein 887). Almost every area of American life was altered by the prosperous economy. “Babies were the potential market for eight hundred dollars in products in their first year. Toy sales that year reached $1.25 billion, and diaper service was a $50-million business” (Layman, 264). As more babies were born, manufacturers of baby products reaped huge profits due to the exceptionally high demand. Baby food, furniture, and toys were flying off store shelves at a record pace. Also home construction saw unprecedented growth, as new and growing families sought better living conditions. New schools were required to accommodate swelling enrollments, which in turn led to a record number of new teaching positions which lead to increase more jobs. Each new birth represented new demands for food, clothing, and toys. In 1958, by which time children fifteen years old and younger made up nearly a third of the U.S population, Life reported on the economic consequences of the boom. More than ever before, Americans were affluent. “The number of Americans earning between $3,000 and $10,000 per year, defined as the country’s middle class, had doubled since the late 1920s and included about 60 percent of the American population. The payments also changed. The credit cards added to the growth of the consumerist society that was occurring at that time; the new forms of marketing also promoted consumerism. People no longer used cash, when they were buying products; they would cash items they could not afford credit card like little amounts of money. As variety of payments and other business of economy altered, other social services could not avoid effects. “Greater amounts of public money were needed for education, healthcare, and other social services” (Layman, 264). Therefore, many other jobs had economic impact during the Baby Boom. Back then, the labor unions had secured wages sufficient to put skilled workers in the middle class. Also the huge corporations were paying their white-collar workers very well. People expected to hold

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