Boomers: Old But Young

Boomers: Old But Young is a compilation of qualitative, intergenerational, research studies conducted by undergraduate students enrolled in a gerontology course at California University, Chico. The students were assigned to gather information about the life experiences of Baby Boomers aged 60-65.

The Baby Boom Generation redefined American psychological, social, and spiritual health values. They widely expanded social communication and characterized themselves as a unique generation. This generation includes individuals born between 1946 and 1964. From a life course perspective, those born in the leading edge years have different life experiences than those born in the trailing edge years.

The original aim of this project was to explain the aging experiences in Baby Boomers aged 60-65. It became apparent, however, that this project was more than about aging experiences of that generation; it was about intergenerational social capital and intergenerational learning.

Building intergenerational social capital and learning transmits health beliefs, values, and practices across generations. In other words, older adults pass on a part of their lives to the younger generation, in effect, giving them their true inheritance.