Baby Boomers Want To Create Social Change: Study

It's not just idealistic 20-somethings working toward social change anymore; it's also idealistic 60-somethings.

A recent study shows that approximately one in four Americans between the ages of 44-70 are interested in starting their own small business or social venture.

The research, conducted by Civic Ventures, goes on to state that of this 25 percent of the age range, or 25 million people, more than one third have already begun their ventures, while more than half are planning to start within the next 5-10 years.

Still, with a down economy many of these baby boomers aren’t comfortable with their own economic status, meaning “about half (52 percent) [have delayed] launching their ventures because they do not feel secure enough financially right now.”

That isn’t the case for Nancy Sanford Hughes, a 2011 recipient of Encore’s Purpose Prize, an achievement reserved for those making social change. Those making social change -- and are over 60 -- that is.

Hughes, who had lived most of her life as a stay-at-home mom, found refuge in service after her husband’s death. She began StoveTeam International, and organization that manufactures safer stoves for third world countries, which in turn prevents hundreds of deaths and burns each year.

Today, there are factories in several third world countries, with consistently updated technology and safer cooling features for the stoves.

Of course, Hughes isn’t the only baby boomer making change. The report also states that “nearly six in 10 (58 percent) say the current economic crisis makes them more likely to start their own businesses or nonprofit ventures.”

“In a sea of bad economic news, it’s heartening that millions of people with experience want to take matters in their own hands and launch their own ventures to meet social needs in their communities,” said Marc Freedman, founder and CEO of Civic Ventures and author of The Big Shift: Navigating the New Stage Beyond Midlife.

And as the largest generation America has seen, taking matters into their own hands could create huge social change.

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Comments

[LibertyQuotient]

08:04 PM on 11/12/2011

The baby boomers are just one of 25 some segments of the populace that I have identified as potential groups for joining The Democracy Coalition, one fist of two-fisted democracy power necessary to rid America of her own worse enemy, her corpocracy.

Gary Brumback
www.uschamberofdemocracy.com

[lvdragonlady]

12:57 AM on 11/12/2011

WE tried this before and ran head on into the establishment(they know who they are), this time around we are wiser and the playing field is more level.........

LET'S DO IT!!

[rdl114]

07:13 AM on 11/10/2011

Our non-commercial website is assembling first-person writings by Baby Boomers about their experiences. We are also developing a comprehensive timeline, the first installment of which - 1946 - is available for viewing. http://boomersrememberwhen.com/time-line/
We're looking for first hand, first person memories of growing up as a Boomer, coming of age, or how it has informed your adult life. It could be a magic moment listening to music. It could be your first job - or your last job. First car, first love, first house, first kid. If you hated being a Boomer, say it! What we're trying to accomplish is to get a rounded, human picture of the enormous, often stereotyped generation.

Reading the ABOUT tab should make it a little clearer:

http://boomersrememberwhen.com/what-were-about/

For the moment, please send short articles or comments – no more than 400 to 500 words to [e-mail].
If you have a photo of yourself at a relevant stage of life, please include it. Please include the locale of your story and the town or city you live in now, plus your age or date of birth.
We will publish your name as John D. or Mary S., not John Doe or Mary Smith.
Thanks very much!

[ChuckNyren]

10:23 PM on 11/09/2011

Good piece, but nothing new. I've been writing about this for years - as have others.

My book, first published in 2005, was primarily aimed at Baby Boomer entrepreneurs:

Advertising to Baby Boomers: http://chucknyren.com/book.htm

Chuck Nyren's egalitarian approach to advertising and the creation of campaigns is all-inclusive. A large section of the book is dedicated to helping Baby Boomer entrepreneurs get their marketing and advertising up and running. The author as well gives advice and guidance to the small businessperson on how to fashion a handmade campaign.

And from my blog: http://advertisingtobabyboomers.blogspot.com/2008/02/me-vs-we.html

[STEPHANIE STEPHENS]

08:28 PM on 11/09/2011

So interested in the facts, from above, that 1) approximately one in four Americans between the ages of 44-70 are interested in starting their own small business or social venture and that 2)
...with a down economy many of these baby boomers aren’t comfortable with their own economic status, meaning “about half (52 percent) [have delayed] launching their ventures because they do not feel secure enough financially right now.”

I felt both of these emotions when starting MindYourBody.tv. Still, when the time is right in all other ways, sometimes it's "full speed ahead."

[Joy Twesigye]

02:54 PM on 11/09/2011

This is great! It would be very inspiring to see intergenerational teams working on the many social issues that need to be addressed. One of the big hurdles young people face when starting their own initiative is mentorship--and even if the Boomers haven't started a business of their own per se there are still many lessons that could be passed along. It seems like each age group could bring their strengths and create amazing organizations. Speaking from experience--I treasured what more experienced people had to offer on my first start up http://pitchforksoptional.com/2011/10/26/how-an-8th-grader-dealt-with-failure/