The Graying of America (Or Bad Demography)

I never really liked the classic definition of boomers as those born 1946 to 1964. Its overbroad, and well, wrong. That age cohort should really end in 1959.

I see why they Demographers made up that range — its so there is a seamless, artificial flow right into to the Gen X group, born 1965 to 1984.

Only its not. Yet another model succumbing to the hard reality of George Box.

Anyone born between 1960-65 are inbetweeners. They are not definitely not boomers, as they were born after all of the classic baby boomer experiences. They are cultural different. They also have spent most of their lives following the messes made by the Worst Generation, either paying for them or cleaning them up.

And this small group is too early for Gen X. (e.g., Think of anyone you know born in 1964 — they and their cohorts / peers are nothing like the boomers or the Gen Xers in either attitude or experience). Authors William Strauss and Neil Howe came closer to correctly identifying Boomers as the cohorts born from 1943 to 1960 (but even that is overbroad).

To correct this error, henceforth, I declare anyone born from 1960 to 1965 “Tweeners.” I hereby decree that you are not a post WW2 Baby-boomer — you were born 20 years after that group started.

Enjoy your AARP card — its coming in the mail.

 

Youngest Boomers Turn 50 This Year(?)


Source: WSJ

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