The term “war babies” refers to the generation of babies born during or shortly after major wars or conflicts. This includes World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The exact years that constitute the “war baby” generation for each conflict vary, but they generally span from the late 1910s to the mid-1960s.
War babies were born during periods of great uncertainty, but also rapid social change. Their early lives were shaped by the aftermath of war, and coming of age during times of cultural upheaval. Today, war babies are in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond, and many are looking back on their unique place in history.
World War I Baby Boom
World War I took place from 1914 to 1918. During these years, birth rates declined in countries involved in the war due to the mobilization of men fighting abroad. However, a baby boom occurred immediately after the war ended.
The war baby generation born after World War I includes those born from approximately 1918 to 1929. In the United States, birth rates had been declining in the years before the war. The birth rate was 27 per 1,000 population in 1915 but fell to 23 per 1,000 by 1918. After the war ended, it shot up to 27 per 1,000 again by 1920.
The post-WWI baby boom lasted until the onset of the Great Depression in the 1930s, which led to another decline in births. Reasons for the baby boom include:
– Soldiers returning home and starting families after the war ended
– A desire to “return to normalcy” by settling down and having children
– Improving economic conditions in the 1920s before the Depression
– The influence of Prohibition and new social attitudes
Those born in the post-WWI baby boom are sometimes called the “Roaring Twenties generation.” They came of age during the economic highs and lows of the 1920s and 1930s. Famous war babies of this era include celebrities like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Cole Porter.
World War I War Baby Years
– 1918-1929: Main World War I baby boom years
World War II Baby Boom
The World War II baby boom refers to the spike in births that occurred in the United States and other countries such as Canada, Australia, and Great Britain in the years during and after WWII (1939-1945).
The war brought a decline in births during the war years, for similar reasons as WWI – men were away serving and there was uncertainty about starting families. After the war, the birth rate exploded. There was a sense of optimism and prosperity. Government support like the G.I. Bill made it easier for veterans to get married and buy homes to raise families.
The peak years of the WWII baby boom were from 1946 to 1964. An estimated 79 million babies were born during the post-war boom. The baby boom slowed when birth control became widely accessible in the 1960s.
Some key factors behind the large size of the WWII baby boom generation:
– Pent-up desire for family life after WWII – Many couples put off having children during the Great Depression and war years.
– Post-war stability and economic prosperity – A strong economy made it easier to have large families.
– Lack of contraception – Birth control was not yet widely available. The birth control pill was approved in 1960.
– Social pressure to conform to traditional gender roles – Women were expected to stay home and have children.
– Government support – The G.I. Bill provided aid for home loans and higher education.
– Earlier marriages – People married at a younger age during this era.
– Media influence – Popular culture celebrated domesticity and motherhood.
Famous war babies from the WWII generation include political leaders like Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as celebrities like Meryl Streep, Bob Dylan, and Paul McCartney.
World War II War Baby Years
– 1946-1964: Main World War II baby boom years
Korean War Baby Boom
The Korean War took place from 1950 to 1953. Many consider babies born in the years spanning the late-1940s to mid-1950s as part of the Korean War baby boom.
The end of WWII did not lead to a dramatic decrease in births, so the birth rate remained relatively high entering the 1950s during the Korean War period. The baby boom peaked around 1957, when the birth rate hit 25.3 per 1,000 population. It declined steadily from that point forward.
While the Korean War did not have as significant an impact on births as the two World Wars, it did influence family planning decisions. Some couples may have delayed children during the conflict, leading to a mini-boom after the war ended. Overall, this was a continuation of the WWII baby boom.
Korean War babies were born during the post-war economic expansion. They came of age during the prosperity of the 1950s but also lived through events like the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Civil Rights Movement. Famous Korean War generation babies include Janis Joplin, Gloria Steinem, and Sally Ride.
Korean War Baby Boom Years
– 1946-1957: Main Korean War baby boom era
Vietnam War Baby Boom
The Vietnam War spanned 1955 to 1975. The Vietnam War baby boom includes those born after World War II through the early 1960s.
The peaks of the post-WWII baby boom were from 1946 to 1964, so there was significant overlap between the World War II and Vietnam War baby generations.
By the mid-1960s, the availability of contraception and changing social roles for women began reversing the trend of high birth rates. So while the Vietnam War impacted society and culture, it did not produce a noticeable spike in births.
Nonetheless, those born in the 50s and early 60s still lived through the Vietnam War era. They experienced events like the counter-culture movement, the space race, and Woodstock. Famous Vietnam War generation babies include celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, and Goldie Hawn.
Vietnam War Baby Boom Years
– 1955-1964: Main Vietnam War baby boom years
Conclusion
Here is a summary of the war baby boom years:
| War | Baby Boom Years |
|---|---|
| World War I | 1918-1929 |
| World War II | 1946-1964 |
| Korean War | 1946-1957 |
| Vietnam War | 1955-1964 |
In conclusion, those considered war babies were born during or around World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Each major conflict of the 20th century sparked a temporary boom in births, whether directly after the war or shortly before it ended.
Despite unique circumstances, war baby generations share common experiences like growing up in the aftermath of war, coming of age in times of cultural change, and having their worldviews shaped by national events. They provide a living link to pivotal moments in history.