Born between 1946 and 1964 the baby boomer generation got this name simply because there was a population explosion following the second world war. Their parents (the silent generation born before 1945) were happy that the second world war was now over and there was a renewed sense of optimism that focused on families and creating homes to raise children. The resulting baby boom bulged the demographic profiles of many countries and the cohort of individuals born between 1946 and 1964 began aging together.
So what has this got to do with clutter control?
The generation cohorts are influenced by the significant social, political, and economic trends of their formative years and during this time the attitudes, values, and beliefs that influence their way of thinking are formed. In relation to clearing clutter the two influences that would exert the most pressure would be the home and the pop culture. Therefore it becomes necessary to understand how each generation has brought these influences to bear on the clutter control habits now being seen in contemporary homes.
It all started with the silent generation. They are the parents of the baby boomers and the grandparents to generation X (born 1965- 1981). The silent generation is sometimes called the veteran's demographic because the people in this generation were greatly influenced by the first and second world wars as well as the great depression.
With a strong view of authority influenced by the military model that suggested "duty before self", the silent generation may to this day have difficulty with assertiveness such as saying no.
They grew up with very little variety or choices in consumable goods and were limited to what was available within a short distance of their home. Along with the purchase of goods was the expectation that the purchased item would last as long as it was needed. The silent generation grew up with the belief that if you throw something away you are a bad person because you are wasteful. Therefore throwing things away is never an option.
The mantra of the silent generation would be "Use it up, make it last, wear it out, or do without!"
Over a lifetime the persistent pattern of thinking in the parents of the baby boomer generation led to the accumulation of more and more material goods in their home. Unfortunately their skill at clearing clutter and managing those goods did not keep pace with their skill at acquiring them.
So we can see that the homes where the baby boomer generation grew up were characterized by the accumulation of goods. This was a measure of success and reflected the growing economic prosperity of their parents as well as the changes in the variety of goods and services now available to them and marketed through the media.
The baby boomers were probably the first generation with a realistic expectation to "do better" than their parents! Unfortunately they never learned clutter control skills from their parents. The ability to purge their possessions or even how to be happy without them was not something that the silent generation taught their children.
The clutter in the homes of baby boomers and their families is the direct result of the emotional attachment to their stuff and the lack of well developed clutter control skills. The clutter epidemic suggests that there is a legacy from the mid 1900's that is still exerting its influence in the homes of the baby boomer generation.
Stopping this epidemic means that the cause must be identified and understood before it can be mitigated. Clutter control cannot be achieved unless emotional attachments to material possessions are recognized and dealt with. The first step in clearing clutter is always learning how to purge possessions appropriately and without guilt.
The Baby Boomer Generation
If I had three phrases to describe the female Baby Boomer, it would be assertive, results-oriented and affluent. Female Boomers are educated, seek immediate gratification and live longer than their male counterparts. They like value and customization. They make most of the money decisions in their households and are expected as a group to spend close to a trillion dollars on goods and services this year, such as spa services and products, personal training, detox programs, massage therapy and supplements.
What does this mean for the fitness and wellness industry? In 2005, the first survey measuring the impact of menopausal symptoms was released at The North American Menopause Society's annual meeting. It showed that three-quarters of respondents (74 percent) had experienced at least one menopausal symptom that was disruptive to their lives. Close to 45 percent of the respondents said the menopause experience was worse than they expected. Many of these women are confused on how to best treat their symptoms. If we want to reach out to this key market, we have to understand what they are going through physically, mentally and socially. Let's break it down.
Physical Wellness
Women are seeking natural remedies through nutrition, supplements and exercise. In fact, when surveyed about hormone replacement therapy options, 66 percent preferred treatment from plant sources versus 2 percent who preferred treatment from urine of pregnant horses. Seems like a no brainer, right?
What are we doing as fitness professionals to help women cope with these physical life changes? Learning about menopause, symptoms and treatment options will help boost your staff members' abilities to train the female body efficiently. Vigorous, high-intensity workouts are not always the answer for women whose bodies are undergoing major hormonal changes. However, a program that promotes a holistic approach to increase energy, boost metabolism and defies aging will meet the needs of women who are seeking wellness from these menopausal symptoms. Remember, female Boomers will invest in a program that will help them feel good on a daily basis.
Emotional Wellness
Declining estrogen levels in menopausal women can do more than just give them hot flashes or night sweats. It can cause irritability, anxiety, fatigue, tension, mood swings, lack of motivation, insomnia and many more emotional feelings. We can help women combat these ups and downs by teaching them a self-calming skill. Encourage them to attend a mind/body class such as yoga, tai chi, qigong or mindful meditation. Perhaps the last five to seven minutes of your personal training session is devoted to diaphragmatic breathing. Offering a package where they will receive a therapeutic massage or facial for every 10 personal training sessions purchased and completed can be a great add-on service. It will also give the extra motivation that they need.
Social Wellness
Female Boomers changed the expectations between work and family life. They make up close to half of the workforce today. They are trying to balance work while taking care of their children and their parents. The older female Boomers are the empty-nesters who are enjoying the fruits of their labor. In either case, depression is another symptom of menopause and is quite common in this age group. Encouraging these women to stay connected with family and nurturing friendships is important for their well-being. Remember, these women seek immediate gratification, so have them engage in a creative outlet that produces a sense of achievement. They also like being part of a group setting, which is why it's common to see female Boomers bond during a club's weight-loss program.
Working with the female Boomer can be quite rewarding. This generation has defined what it means to age with grace. Clubs will boast more satisfied and loyal female members as fitness professionals and owners can empathize and understand their needs.
Both Beverly Omalley & Jasmine Jafferali are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Beverly Omalley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recreation and Sports, Womens Health and Web Development. Beverly Hansen OMalley invites you to visit where you can find out more about all things related to organized living including the real costs of clutter on the physical, emotional, and spiritua. Beverly Omalley's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.
Jasmine Jafferali has sinced written about articles on various topics from Parenting, Fitness. Jasmine Jafferali, MPH, is the Program Coordinator and an instructor for Educational Fitness Solutions, Inc., Professional Certificate in Women's Personal Exercise Training and Wellness. She has a diverse fitness background with over ten years of industry. Jasmine Jafferali's top article generates over 1300 views. to your Favourites.
