The Silent Generation By Sean Bock and Fletcher Wilson Definition ● This generation started in the mid 1920s, and ended in the 1940s. It was characterized by their immense focus on work rather than activism. While there were civil rights leaders, the members of the silent generation were largely focused on the economy and work. Population ● In December, 2015 there was approximately 28.32 million people born in the silent generation that were still alive ● Today they’re from 72-92 years of age Historical Events ● The Great Depression ○ The immense hardships this generation grew up in created a hardworking group who were very motivated to succeed ● World War Two ○ This immense violence made the veterans of the war focused on family life, which resulted in the creation of a very large families, and the massive Baby Boomer generation Political Views ● In the 2012 election most people in the silent generation were conservatives and leaned right ● They don’t have much trust in the government ● There is a slight difference, but more of the silent generation believe immigration is a problem. ● Out of the 5 generations, they believe the least in same sex marriage. Work Force ● This generation grew up in the Great Depression and the recover from it, making them a very hard working labor force ● The current median household income for the Silent Generation is $40,378 ● However the work force size is beginning to decrease as this generation is retiring ● Child labor Marriage ● Over half the population in the Silent Generation were/are married Women in the work force ● This generation has the lowest level of female employment, around 88% ● During this time period women were not generally supposed to maintain jobs, although some did during World War Two, when the male workforce was diminished in size ● This number is currently higher now than when they were younger, as retirement becomes more common Entertainment ● There were many movies that inspired them (ex. Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind) ● Pioneering rock musicians ● Film makers ● TV legends ● Poets ● And journalists Similarities ● This Generation was shaped by War and Depression unlike any other, giving them a unique perspective ● They do hold similar views in regards to work motivation with Generation Y, and the Baby Boomers Work Cited https://knoema.com/egyydzc/us-population-by-age-and-generation http://www.npr.org/series/141993536/silents-to-millennials-generational-politics#mainContent https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Generation http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2015/03/19/comparing-millennials-to-other-generations/#!19 http://www.people-press.org/2011/11/03/section-1-how-generations-have-changed/ https://www.senioradvisor.com/blog/2014/10/10-movies-important-to-the-silent-generation/ http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/06/us/baby-boomer-generation-fast-facts/index.html.