11c. Baby boomers Impact on Society - Copy

After World War II, Canada experienced a significant population increase due to two main phenomena:
- The baby boom.
- Immigration, primarily from Europe, throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Population growth data from 1941-1981:
- 1941: 11,507,000 (10.8% increase)
- 1951: 14,009,000 (21.7% increase)
- 1961: 18,238,000 (30.1% increase)
- 1971: 21,568,000 (18.2% increase)
- 1981: 24,343,000 (12.9% increase)
The rate of population increase was highest in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s compared to other periods.
Growth of youth population (under age 15) created pressure on governments to provide necessary schools and facilities.

Living standards rose in Canada, leading boomer parents to seek larger homes for growing families.
Increased availability of cars reshaped towns and cities, contributing to urban sprawl.
Comparisons of Canadian towns and cities between the late 1940s and today:
- 1940s cities were smaller, with clearly defined edges and less suburban development.
- Housing types were older and often high-density; single-family homes were often unaffordable.
- Towns were separated by open agricultural spaces.
Post-1945 birth rates and family expectations spurred demand for more housing:
- Developers built on suburban fringes and agricultural lands.
- Planned communities and subdivisions emerged, designed primarily for car accessibility, featuring spacious lots for children to play.

The rapid suburban population growth led to challenges in providing schooling:
- Schools were predominantly in old town areas and not easily accessible from new suburbs.
- Increased birth rate strained existing school systems, necessitating the building of new schools.
Example: Burlington's population grew from 10,000 in 1941 to over 60,000 by 1971, requiring new educational structures:
- New High Schools Built: Nelson High School (1958), M.M. Robinson High School (1962), Lord Elgin High School (1971).

Boomers’ transition into young adulthood highlighted educational needs in Ontario:
- Old universities lacked capacity to accommodate the influx of high school graduates.
- Many smaller colleges affiliated with religious institutions transitioned to universities for funding eligibility.
Government response included:
- Establishing new universities (Lakehead, Trent, Brock).
- Doubling university enrolment in both the 1960s and 1970s.
Community colleges expanded, providing applied arts programs and reducing the division between colleges and universities.

Boomers were the first generation to engage in mass consumption, experiencing a lifestyle far wealthier than previous generations.
Cultural influences during this time:
- Rise of drive-in movie theatres, rock and roll music, and fashion trends (e.g., blue jeans).
Part-time job availability allowed boomers to enjoy luxuries and entertainment:
- Transition from sports cars in the 1960s to luxury SUVs in the 2000s.
- Emergence of home entertainment systems.
Not all boomers participated equally in consumerism; some engaged in altruistic pursuits.

The 1960s marked significant cultural shifts:
- Increased drug availability and experimentation (marijuana, LSD).
- Changing sexual mores with a rise in premarital sex and the impact of the birth control pill.
The counterculture movement criticized traditional societal values:
- Prominent events: Woodstock (1969), embodying the ideals of peace and love.
- The younger generation's rebellion against conventional roles in society.

Boomers age brought unanticipated challenges due to their substantial influence:
- Targeted by advertisers looking to sell health-related products as they reach their 50s and older.
Observations on changing societal values:
- Acceptance and normalization of issues previously considered taboo, such as LGBTQ rights.
Economic implications as boomers age:
- Increased demand for healthcare services and retirement-related government support (e.g., Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Supplement).
- Anticipation of a growing financial burden on taxpayers due to the large boomer population.