Baby Boom

Definition

The baby boom refers to a significant increase in birth rates following World War II from 1946 to 1964. This generation has had a significant impact on society due to its size.

Analogy

Imagine if your school suddenly admitted twice as many students as usual for one year. Classrooms would be crowded, more teachers would need to be hired, and there might not be enough resources for everyone. That's kind of what happened during the baby boom - there were so many babies born that it put strain on resources and led to societal changes.

Related terms

Suburbanization: The process of population movement from urban areas to suburban areas—resulting in the growth of suburbia.

Consumerism: The theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically beneficial; also : a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods.

Generation X: People born after the Western Post–World War II baby boom ended around 1965-1980.