Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Baby Boomers didnt left the economy in better shape

Rennip · 02-06-2014, 03:17 PM

I hope this observation contributes to the conversation.

My parents were born slightly before the boomers but I don't think they lived any different, I think it's fair to say I was raised by boomers.

My dad earned at least a middle class income, my mom never had a job outside of the house and gardening. They scrimped & saved for everything they ever bought like used furniture pieces, a new mattress or carpeting etc.

I would guess the majority of men joined the workforce before finishing high school and learned their skills on the job. Families were much larger and despite what was mentioned before, putting food on the table was a major concern for most families.

I live in a fairly well off small city and what I see would be unimaginable in my parents early life. The disposable income of, lets say mid 20's people is 10 fold of what my parents had.

My dad started working full time at about 13 yr's old and worked his way into surveying for a large city. I assume he was making a good wage in the 60's and then very, very good wages building hydro dams in BC in the 70's and 80's but they still had to save for any substantial purchase.

Now it's common for a gen X/Y person to join the workforce much, much later in life, drive a new, or nearly car from the time they get their licence when the boomers often couldn't afford a new car until their thirties.

I could go on and on, sorry for the long post, the boomers scrimped and saved far more than people do today so I really don't think it's fair to blame the boomers.

02-06-2014, 03:17 PM	#162
Rennip Lifetime Suspension Join Date: Feb 2014	I hope this observation contributes to the conversation. My parents were born slightly before the boomers but I don't think they lived any different, I think it's fair to say I was raised by boomers. My dad earned at least a middle class income, my mom never had a job outside of the house and gardening. They scrimped & saved for everything they ever bought like used furniture pieces, a new mattress or carpeting etc. I would guess the majority of men joined the workforce before finishing high school and learned their skills on the job. Families were much larger and despite what was mentioned before, putting food on the table was a major concern for most families. I live in a fairly well off small city and what I see would be unimaginable in my parents early life. The disposable income of, lets say mid 20's people is 10 fold of what my parents had. My dad started working full time at about 13 yr's old and worked his way into surveying for a large city. I assume he was making a good wage in the 60's and then very, very good wages building hydro dams in BC in the 70's and 80's but they still had to save for any substantial purchase. Now it's common for a gen X/Y person to join the workforce much, much later in life, drive a new, or nearly car from the time they get their licence when the boomers often couldn't afford a new car until their thirties. I could go on and on, sorry for the long post, the boomers scrimped and saved far more than people do today so I really don't think it's fair to blame the boomers.