Social Trends- large scale changes in our society such as an increase in immigration, decrease in fertility rates, or growth in size of elderly population

Demographers- social scientists who examine social trends by studying human populations Provide population data and statistics Anthropologists study the how social trends affect

cultures Sociologists explore the impact on families and social

institutions Psychologists study how social trends impact

individuals

Demographic Group

Born (approx) Characteristics

Baby Boom 1946-1966

Generation X 1960- 1966

Generation Y 1980- 1995

Millenials (Generation Z)

1996-2010

Baby boom generally known to refer to the demographic group born between 1946-1964

Why did it occur? Soldiers returned home after World War II

Wanted to resume lives quickly Came home with war brides Government policy for soldiers

Laws allowed vets return to jobs Low cost mortgages Loans to upgrade education

Social norms (post war period) Marriage acceptable Domestically oriented era Respectability achieved through marriage and family Sex outside marriage condemned

Rapid growth of baby created massive social change Suburban culture

Large demand for housing for new families Construction boom suburbia

Cars and road construction increased Fast food Shopping plazas Drive ins

Institution Growth Education Reform

Need for schools (high enrollment) Progressive education

Created a Counterculture when young people express values and

behaviours that conflict with societal norms era between 1964 to 1972 era developed into

socially conscious and rebellious group Characterized by protest music

(Vietnam), anti war demonstrations, and peace symbols

Music focused on 1) protest and rebellion

against authority2) freer attitudes towards sex and drugsPopular musicians were The Who, Grateful

Dead, Neil Young and Jimi Hendrix

Sexual promiscuity increasedIllegal drug use increasedPolitical activismincreased

in addition to anti war protest, environmental issues and rights of women and aboriginal people