Question Set 5.4
Section 5.4 Baby Boomers Transform Society
(p
156-160)
The 1960’s Counterculture

How did the children born in the 40’s and 50’s start to turn out
and why?

What was the greatest homogenizing social influence at the
time? In what way was this influence socially homogenizing?

What was Woodstock? Why was Woodstock – that is, what was
its major theme and objectives?
What is meant by counterculture? What was the origin of the
concept?


How pervasive (widespread) was the counterculture movement
in Canada?

Identify a positive aspect of the counterculture. On what themes
did it focus?

What was the Company of Young Canadians? What was its
purpose?

What was CUSO? What was its purpose?

What do you think? In what way(s) were both the Company
of Young Canadians and CUSO products of the counterculture?
The Sexual Revolution

What behaviours accounted for the dramatic increase in the
number of children born to all unmarried mothers throughout the
60’s?

What impact did the introduction of the pill have?

What factors contributed to the overall sag in the birth rate
between 65 and 75?

What generation followed the baby boom, and when did it
appear?
Question Set 5.5
Section 5.5: The Echo Boom (1980-1995)
(pp
160-168)
The Echo Effect

Who comprises the echo boom?

What is meant by the echo effect?
Regional Differences in the Echo Boom

Why have some regions like Ontario experienced the echo
boom but others, such as the Atlantic Provinces, have not?

In detail, why are these regional differences important to
demographers?

Why is the echo-boom (your generation) smaller than the
baby boom?
Impact of the Echo Kids

Identify some of the ways your generation has impacted the
culture.

What is meant by a “six-pocket” phenomenon? Are you a
“six-pocketer”?

You’ve had a considerable influence in the formation of so-called
“youth market” media stations. What has been the impact of
such stations, both financially and product-wise?

In what other ways (beyond financial) has your generation made
its mark?

What do you think? As an individual, are you passionate about
any social issues such as the environment, education, or health
care? If you are, how might your involvement differ from that of
the “socially aware” activists of the 60’s?
Talking About Your Generation
“As a member of the echo boom, how would you describe your
generation with regard to its beliefs, values, and interests?” - Text,
page 166.
Your answer to this relies on such things as your personal
experiences and social environment. A social scientist, on the
other hand, relies on research to answer this question. Read the
Case Study: Practitioners of Social-Demographic Research, page
166- 168. Complete the questions on p 168 to prepare for a class
discussion.
Question Set 5.6
Section 5.6: Impact of the Aging Boomers
(pp
169-172)
The Dependency Load

According to the text, why is there considerable worry as aging
boomers retire and head towards old-age?

What is meant by dependency load and what is its
significance?
The Boomers as Seniors

Detail the assorted measures some boomers have taken to
reduce their reliance on generations that follow them.
 How might some enterprising echo boomers respond to the
growing numbers of healthier and wealthier boomers?
 Read the Case Study, Page 171: Are All the Aging Boomers the
Same? Complete the questions for class discussion.