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Insights Into the Oldest and Youngest Boomers The Mature Market Institute (MMI) study, Boomer Bookends: Insights Into the Oldest and Youngest Boomers, compares the “leading edge” Boomers (those born in 1946) and the “trailing edge” Boomers (those born in 1964). This is the second year in a row that the MMI conducted a nationally representative survey of the Oldest Boomers, those turning age 63 in 2009. The sample included respondents from the 2007 MMI study, Boomers: Ready to Launch, who agreed to be re-contacted, as well as additional new respondents. In this study, to compare and contrast the Oldest and Youngest members of the Boomer generation, the MMI also conducted a comparable nationally representative survey of the trailing edge Boomers, those turning age 45 in 2009. Asking many of the same questions to each group, the MMI found that they share many traits and perspectives in common, yet have different attitudes, life experiences, and goals, just as oldest and youngest siblings do in the typical American family. The Oldest and Youngest Boomers : Two Generations in One The Boomers are a large generation with an 18-year age spread that began when the GIs returned from World War II in 1946. Some consider it two generations in one. Many more Boomers were born in the later years of the Boomer generation than in the earlier years. The Older Boomers, born between 1946 and 1955, represent 36.7 million, of which 2.7 million were born in 1946. The Younger Boomers, born between 1956 and 1964, represent 40.6 million, of which 4.6 million were born in 1964. Despite the somewhat smaller numbers, the Oldest Boomers have received most of the attention in the media and literature about the generation. The Oldest Boomers, who were often associated with a rebellious and influential youth culture, are now facing the contrast of growing up in the sixties, and now living through their sixties. As children, they tended to live in more traditional households, with a stay-at-home mother. The economy was good, and the baby boom resulted in the growth of the suburbs, schools, and consumer demand. By the time the Oldest Boomers— the high school class of 1964—entered early adulthood, they found themselves at the forefront of a decade of both social unrest as well as social > Read the report     By . Date 09-03-2009 Print this article  OTHER ARTICLES Insights Into the Oldest and Youngest Boomers   Ad Clutter Benefits No One   AARP Life@50+ highlights from day 1   GE Consumer & Industrial Universal Design Principles in New Appliance Development Will Aid Aging Baby Boomers and Consumers with Diverse Abilities   How will society and businesses adapt to the reality of an aging population?   Zoomers by Moses Znaimer   Baby Boomers Redefining the Role of Grandparent   Breadwinning Boomers Responsible for Multi-Generational Brand Decisions   AARP Services and Focalyst Announce Top Ten Boomer Myths on the Today Show   Leading Senior Experts Consortium Continues To Grow