“20th Century Generations”, a Population Reference Bureau (www.prb.org) publication by Elwood Carlson melds a demographic concept “cohorts” with political and historical events in our nation’s history.   Building on work by Ryder, Straus and Howell and Easterly, Carlson identifies “seven public generations” of the 20th century. These generations are defined by strong historical and political boundaries.  

We are all familiar with the Baby Boom generation (born 1946-1964) and the Good Warriors who are also known by Tom Brokow’s The Greatest Generation (1909-1928). But who has heard of The Lucky Few (1928-1945), the smaller generation before the Baby Boomers who experienced the expansive economic times of the 50’s and 60’s but were able to avoid, in large parte, the three major wars that occurred during the 20th Century.

While we are aware of the life experiences of Generation X (1965-1982), the smaller cohort following the Baby Boomers, we know less about the New Boomers (1982-2001) because they are providing only a few hints about their life course. This group is almost as large as the original Baby Boomers and will be the largest generation in the 21st century. 

However, the New Boomers have share common experiences with the first generation of the 20th Century, the New Worlders (1871-1889).  About one in four people in this generation immigrated to the United States and the New Boomers can expect to add more immigrants during adulthood than the previous five generation. The New Boomers may also have a great deal in common with the Hard Timers (1890-1908) who fought in World War I and struggled through the Great Depression.  Many of the New Boomers are entering the work force just as our nation experiences one of the most severe economic downturns in 50 years.  

This bulletin contrasts the experience of each generation through childhood with a rapid decline in infant mortality, the rise of mass education, the changing role of family and women in the work force.  It is an excellent summary of our changing nation viewed through the generations that lived it.  Much can be learned from reading the bulletin which can be found at the PRB web site. (www.prb.org)