THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 1, 1996 TAG: 9601010036
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOHN BARRY, KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
As the past five decades have demonstrated, from personal fulfillment and individualism do fads and trends spring. In their ``midyouth,'' boomers are expected to launch a few more, says Cheryl Russell of American Demographics magazine:
Divorces. The proportion of Americans who admit to ever having an extramarital affair peaks in the 45-to-49 age group. ``Boomers are looking for ways to escape the tedium. I'd expect to see a lot of divorces once the kids are raised.''
Travel. Above all else, boomers yearn for adventure. Now millions of them have the wealth to go after it. ``They're going to be seeking out exotic destinations. And as they wind out their careers, they'll have more time. The travel industry will boom.''
The matriarchs. ``The fierce, newfound energy of independent baby-boom women in their 50s will turn markets upside down. For years, boomer women have been suppressing their individualistic natures as they raised children - often single-handedly. With their children grown, they can satisfy their pent-up demand to think about - and spend on - themselves again.''
Intergenerational peace. ``There's less conflict between boomers and their children than between boomers and their parents. Boomers and children are interested in the same thing - individualism.'' (One possible source of conflict: Who gets the Harley on Saturday night?) MEMO: Sidebar to main article on page A1.
KEYWORDS: AGING BABY BOOMER SENIOR CITIZEN by CNB