“Born 1925-1942, the Silent Generation grew up as the suffocated children of war and depression. They came of age just too late to be war heroes and just too early to be youthful free spirits. Instead, this early-marrying Lonely Crowd became the risk-averse technicians and professionals—as well as the sensitive rock ‘n rollers and civil-rights advocates—of a post-crisis era in which conformity seemed to be a sure ticket to success. Midlife was an anxious ‘passage’ for a generation torn between stolid elders and passionate juniors. Their surge to power coincided with fragmenting families, cultural diversity, institutional complexity, and prolific litigation. They entered elderhood with unprecedented affluence, a ‘hip’ style, and a reputation for indecision.”

William Strauss and Neil Howe, http://www.fourthturning.com/html/boom_generation.html