Nurturing the Baby Boom & Baby Boomers Transform Society Bringing Up the Boomers Boomers Fashion and Fun Baby Boom Goes to School 1960 Counterculture Sexual Revolution American Graffiti

Bringing Up the Boomers Canada experienced an economic boom following the war Americans invested ~$12 billion in Canada Northern mining frontier expanded Alberta oil increase New manufacturing plants across Ontario and Quebec Suburban Culture Rapid population growth caused suburban culture to develop New homes were built beyond existing built-up/suburban areas Some suburbs used latest principles of urban planning: Curved streets (slows traffic), central parks, schools Homes had driveways as owners required cars to get to work Led to car-culture  fast-food restaurants, shopping plazas, drive-in movies New social patterns  women’s groups during the day, evening adult parities, weekend sports for kids, social organizations (Scouts, Guides, etc.), and 60% of people attended religious services on weekends

Boomers Upbringing – p.152 Create a table to compare the Boomers’ upbringing to that of their parents. Use the box on page 152 to help you.

Bringing Up the Boomers - Suburbia Two age groups dominated the post-war suburb: children under 15, and young adults aged 25-44. In 1961 nearly 50% of suburban population was under 15 Suburbs dominated by nuclear family: 2 parents and young children living together http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_2lGkEU4Xs

Boomers Fashion and Fun Surfing Culture The Beatles - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4p8qxGbpOk “Love Ins” Roller Discos Saturday Night Fever Led Zeppelin - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcL---4xQYA

Boomers Fashion and Fun What music and fashion trends could be added to the table? Would you have rather lived in the 60s or 70s? Why? What music and fashion trends are still around today? What explains their popularity?

The Baby Boom Goes to School 1952-53 – first way of early boomers arrived at school causing increase in elementary schools and secondary schools (~1950s- 1960s) Mid- to late 1960s saw overpopulated universities Ontario responded with: Enlarging existing universities Creating new universities (i.e. Trent, York, Brock) Developing province-wide system of community colleges Shift in education from authoritarian education (expected mastery of a standard school program focused on reading, writing and arithmetic) to progressive education (child-centred schooling, development of lessons and activities that would keep them interested)

Baby Boomers Transform Society 1960s Counterculture First of the baby boomers reach their late-teenage years and because visible and vocal! Seen as: rude, spoiled, self-centred, rebels Defining images: hippies, drugs, The Beatles, Vietnam protests, “sit-ins”, peace symbols, Woodstock Music focused on: protest, rebellion against authority, Vietnam war, freer attitudes towards sex and drugs Counterculture: young people expressed values and behaviours that conflicted with society’s norms Members revelled in shock value of pushing personal freedoms beyond societal boundaries http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MnDbWqe_kQ

Baby Boomers Transform Society http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av4x6nZlefc Baby Boomers Transform Society 1960s Counterculture Many Canadians adopted the look and sound of the times without actually participating in many events In Canada – few sit-ins, small communities of hippies, increased sexual promiscuity and illegal drug use Political activism – anti-war, anti-nuclear, environmental issues, rights of women and Aboriginals

Baby Boomers Transform Society The Sexual Revolution – behaviour and morals in North America began to change 1960s saw an increase in the number of “Illegitimate” children (see the graphs on page 159) This could be caused by: A) more couples were living together without being legally married B) people were engaging in premarital sex Birth Control Pill was developed and made widely available at a low price through prescription (1961) Birth rate dropped between 1965-1975 due to: highly educated women birth control

American Graffiti –Questions to Answer As the film progresses, not the attitude changes of the following characters: Curt Henderson Steve Bolander Laurie Henderson John Milner Terry “Toad” Fields What are some timeless problems teens face as they finish high school? Compare the 1960s slang with the slang used today. Is any of the 1960s slang still in use? What are some differences between the “Freshman Hop” and high school dances today? What are some things that might never change? What are some other timeless aspects of youth life illustrated by the film? What are some differences between the 1960s culture shown in the film and out culture today? Which changes are positive, and which are negative?