The Echo Boom – is the demographic phase in which a population increase is created as people born during the post-World War II baby boom have their own children It is called an “ echo ” Each generation will create an echo of itself,as we will explore further

The Echo Boom generation has many names, including: Generation Y – this was the group of children born between 1980 and 1995 to parents who were born during the Baby Boom The group at the base is referred to as Generation Z or Millennium kids – they are the demographic group born after the mid-1990 ’ s (typically the children of the twentysomethings)

Regional Differences of the Echo Boom Since there are variations in birth and immigration patterns not every province will have the same population trends The territories and Saskatchewan have high Echo Boom populations which reflects the large Aboriginal populations Ontario also has high Echo Boom population because of high birthrates and specifically immigration In the Atlantic provinces, because they have not attracted young immigrants and many people have been leaving because of lack of employment, they do not have another bulge in their populations

Many needs have to met while dealing with the Echo Boom: In Ontario, there is a predicted increase of 80,000 university students by the year 2010 – which was also brought on by the double cohort Within the coming years, every university needs to expand their facilities to accommodate all students In order for a generation to replenish itself each couple must have two children The number of children born to women in 1960 was 3.5 children, the number of children dropped down to 1.5 in 1980

Since the Echo Boom generation is fairly large there have been some strains that they have caused Can you name a strain and a sign of this strain? Schooling – many Echo Boom kids benefited from attending brand new schools BUT… This also caused a strain because schools were not large enough and many have to deal with portables and crowded classrooms The Echo Boomers will have an advantage in the work force since they will be entering the job market as the Baby Boomers begin to retire The Echo Boomers also have buying power as many have part time jobs and also “ six pockets ” – receiving money from two parents and four grandparents

Echo Boomers have more money to spend than previous generations: Evidence of this, can be seen through: The strong shift of radio and television programming to youth markets More than ever before, youth are being marketed electronics, music and video ( iPODS !), convenience food, clothing, live entertainment, games (computer or video), etc

Increasingly the Echo Boom generation is linked with violence, self-centered behaviour, an “ all me ” attitude, laziness, and have been given the label of the obnoxious teenager. How do you see your generation?