What’s Important to Baby Boomers

The following comes from Rick Brava of “Rick Brava on the Baby Boomer Generation”. I think you will find it interesting. Jerry Weider
Tuesday, August 2, 2011What is most important to Baby Boomers

 
In a survey of 311 Baby Boomers from around the country , when asked at this stage of life what is most important to you,  an overwhelming percentage said family.  In talking to Baby Boomers from a diverse economic spectrum there was universal agreemant that family was the aspect of life that stood out. While financial security , retirement , how and where they wanted to live in the golden years and finally a second career rounded out the key mentioned topics in that order these, while widely talked about and important, did indeed trail family.

When you ask in interviews a followup question, or ask to expand on the answer, it becomers very interesting. For example, a lot has to do with where you fall in the age category of Baby Boomers. An older Baby Boomer might speak of their aging parents and the decisions about their care. Another set of Baby Boomers,  just a bit younger mention, the college education of children and their children starting their life in the work world and marriage. The complicated Baby Boomer might be working on the multi- generational issues,  health issues for parents, and college tuition for children.

Recently, a Baby Boomer flew across the country to visit his parents, who are living close to his sister. The parents live in a upscale assisted living facility within miles of their daughter and as the brother takes the plain ride, and looks forward to interacting in the close knit family,  he leves behind his wife, who will spend time with his son and two young grandchildren. His other son studies in Europe. All these forces meet in the center of the Baby Boomer priority spectrum.

Life for Baby Boomers has become reflective. Baby Boomers have spent time recalling their youth and thinking about the family gatherings that were so a part of their up bringing. They miss those day’s when the aunts and uncles came over , and time was spent with their cousins. They recall with fond memories the way their parents interacted with with the friends of their generation . One Baby Boomer reported that the house he grew up in alway’s seemed alive. As the parents of Baby Boomers have aged , the Baby Boomer tries to hold on to the memeories even harder , as they do everything they can to support their parents in the transition of caring with dignity. Baby Boomers on a whole have come to the conclusion that their parents deserve their respect and caring , because for the most part the parents did so much sacrificing to give them the life they have now.

Baby Boomers also seem bent on passing on family traditions to their children. They look to reconnect with extended family. The cousin in Buffalo is important , because of the shared bond of Easter holiday past. The cousins you saw grow up over the years of celebrating Christmas Eve, you remain loyal too and care about them today as you did yesterday . In fact now you want to grow to care about their children , because after all these are not stangers , this is family. Baby Boomers report conversations with their spouse , where in the same day they receive facebook messages , from their children , siblings, cousins and then report on the happenings to aunts and uncles. Of course many Baby Boomers have lost many important people in their lives. This difficult demension forsters a need to give of yourself to the people who are still in your life. Baby Boomers report a great sadness upon the loss of parents. They are heart broken when they lose a sibling . The loss of a spouse is devastating . This reinforces the belief system in Baby Boomers to love the ones who are here. So it is no wonder that the busy professional will fly across country to make that precious visit.

What Baby Boomers have most reported is that , when you finally do see in person that extended family member who , you care about but have not seen for a long while , it is not uncomfortable but rather the opposite, like riding a bicycle or not missing a beat. The good feeling upon the return from such a trip , is like the feeling of fresh sping water , after being in the dessert. Some may argue that the reply to the question of what is important is a obvious one , or that the economic times make you focus on the basics. Maybe both are true , but it can also be said that Baby Boomers have come to realize what is important , and maybe that is why it is front and center of things most important to Baby Boomers.