Values and public policies

The Silent Generation

People born between 1923 and 1933s in the United States, belong to the Silent Generation. The size of this generation is relatively small as the members from this generation were born at times of the World War 1 and World War 2. However, majority of the members were born at the time of the Great Depression. This generation experienced a number of issues where values, ideas and desires were concerned. Some of the experts consider that this generation is not much understood in the twentieth century. (Oblinger, p. 37)

This generation can also be identified by their contributions in the Civil Rights Movement, women liberation, and feminist movements to name a few. The culture of the silent generation was mostly shaped by such contributions. Many artists, writers and well known personalities emerged from this generation, who managed to develop the art scene in the U.S on a whole new level.

Due to the financial instability that the world was going through at that time, not many children were preferred by the parents of the silent generation. That is the reason why the silent generation is smaller in size.

Most of the credit goes to this generation as they heavily contributed in the scientific and technological advancements and innovations of the twentieth century. Furthermore, the generation is also accredited for their support in maintaining peace during the World War 2.

Silent generation is also accredited for giving rise to the rhythm and blues music into the mainstream music industry. They mostly were fond of swing and jazz music. They also managed to bring a change in the music industry as they introduced rock and roll music and gave birth to artistes such as Jimmy Hendrix and Elvis Presley, who are considered to be valuable members of the Silent Generation. (Oblinger, p.58)

Baby Boomers

The term Baby boomer is used to describe group of people born during the baby boom, which occurred in some common law countries in the period after the Second World War, between 1946 and early 1960's. By the end of World War II, several nations including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand went through an unusual growth in birth rates, an event which is known as "baby boom." In the above mentioned countries, the term is also used to refer to that generation. (Queenan, p. 66)

The names "baby boomer" and "baby boom" besides other expressions are also used in nations which have demographics that do not reflect the growth in American families over the same interval.

American children born between 1945 and 1964, constitutes a number of seventy-six million which represents a group, having significance due to its size. Statistics of 2004 indicates that in the UK, 80% of the wealth was in possession of the baby boomers, bought 80% of the whole categories of the cars, 80% of the cruises and 50% of the skin care products. (Freedman, p. 140)

The generation from the baby boom has mostly found it difficult to manage their time and money due to a problem that other generations have had. It is found that the ...