The Baby Boomers Grow Up

The goal of this volume is to examine development in middle age from the perspective of baby boomers -- a unique cohort in the United States defined as those individuals born from 1946 to 1962. This is the largest cohort ever to enter middle age in Western society, and they currently represent approximately one-third of the total U.S. population. The Baby Boomers Grow Up provides contemporary and comprehensive perspectives of development of the baby boomer cohort as they proceed through midlife. Baby boomers continue to exert a powerful impact on the media, fiction, movies, and even popular music, just as they were an imposing force in society from the time of their entry into youth. As these individuals enter the years normally considered to represent midlife, they are redefining how we as a society regard adults in their middle and later years. This volume features several unique aspects. First, the literature reviewed focuses specifically on research relevant to baby boomers and their development as adults, rather than a global perspective on middle age. Second, the volume takes into account the diversity within the boomer cohort, such as social class, race, and education. In addition, quantitative and qualitative developmental changes occurring from the forties to the fifties and the sixties are considered. Differences in leading and trailing edge boomers are likewise addressed. Ideal for researchers in adult development and graduate seminars on adult development, The Baby Boomers Grow Up will also appeal to adult educators, human resource personnel, health professionals and service providers, and clinical psychologists and counselors.

Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Sherry L. Willis

Contents: S.K. Whitbourne, S.L. Willis, Preface. Part I: Baby Boomers: Demographic and Theoretical Perspectives.D.J. Eggebeen, S. Sturgeon, Demography of the Baby Boomers. A.J. Stewart, C.M. Torges, Social, Historical, and Developmental Influences on the Psychology of the Baby Boom at Midlife. D.F. Alwin, R.J. McCammon, S.M. Hofer, Studying Boomer Cohorts Within a Demographic and Developmental Context: Conceptual and Methodological Issues. Part II: Physical and Mental Health Issues.N.E. Avis, S. Crawford, Menopause: Recent Research Findings. J.R. Piazza, S.T. Charles, Mental Health Among the Baby Boomers. Part III: Psychosocial Issues.K.M. Jones, S.K. Whitbourne, K.M. Skultety, Identity Processes and the Transition to Midlife Among Baby Boomers. D.M. Almeida, J. Serido, D. McDonald, Daily Life Stressors Early and Late Baby Boomers. M.M. Skaff, The View From the Driver's Seat: Sense of Control in the Baby Boomers at Midlife. S.L. Willis, K.W. Schaie, Cognitive Functioning in the Baby Boomers: Longitudinal and Cohort Effects. Part IV: Functioning in Context.K. Fingerman, M. Dolbin-MacNab, The Baby Boomers and Their Parents: Cohort Influences and Intergenerational Ties. R. Blieszner, K. Roberto, Perspectives on Close Relationships Among the Baby Boomers. S.J. Czaja, Employment and the Baby Boomers: What Can We Expect in the Future? S.K. Whitbourne, S.L. Willis, Summary and Future Directions.