Boomer Babes
by Barbara Roberts
A boomer refers to anyone born between 1946 and 1964, and one informal definition of a “babe” is that of a young female who is physically and sexually attractive. Well, the previously-mentioned years of birth belie common assumptions of “young,” but young-at-heart is in play here. And, since impressions take place in the eye of the beholder, the concept is not an oxymoron!
Although they share a generational cohort, these babes certainly are not clones of each other. They come in all sizes and colors and shapes, and the youngest ones are only 57 this year, whereas the oldest babes will hit 75, another “milestone” year. Consistent with this generation’s outlook on life – mostly positive and rolling with the punches – they don’t let a number intimidate them.
I am one of those older babes, and the number in my head is not nearly as high as the one on my driver’s license. Sometimes, when I look in the mirror, at just the right angle, I can see that I slightly resemble the public age that is out there, but I don’t feel it, and I certainly don’t act it. Life is for the living, and my unspoken mantra is to experience as much of what I want to as I can. I think of my mother at this age, and my grandmother. I am more like my mother, but my grandmother still had spunk and a thirst for experiences in her latter years too. When I compare gramma status, though, I am certainly not my gramma’s type of gramma. I am much more hands-on and the queen bee of playtime. It does get old after a while, because kids don’t know how to quit, but my granddaughters are so happy to see me because they get a big playmate!
I think boomer babes are also different from women who came before them because they are inquisitive, interested a little more in the new things that come along and not so mired in the goodness of the past. They have a respect for history, but they have lived through some of the most exciting, ground-breaking, and tumultuous periods in American history. The list includes the advent of television, programming for children and youth, landing on the moon, the Vietnam War and demonstrations against it, drugs, the Pill, sexual freedom, and computers, to name a few.
So from my perspective, for the most part, boomer babes actually thrive on change. I certainly do. I don’t even like to do the same exercise over and over. And I get bored skiing the same run all day. When I was in the corporate world, I found myself many times preparing others for upcoming changes. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” was the rally cry of the troops. My counter was if we didn’t make changes in the telephone, we would all still be tethered to the wall, and the party line snoops would be listening in!
Honestly, boomer babes grew up thinking they could have it all. Civil Rights afforded us the opportunities of college degrees and meaningful careers. If we chose to marry and have children, we could do that too. Dreams of traveling and exotic vacations were in reach. Not for all, by any means, but the prospects have been very good for many. For those who are not able to visit locales that appeal to them, we have television, computers and Facebook to help satisfy the desires. Where there is a will, there is a way!
A boomer babe loves music, all kinds, or a certain genre, and loves to sing and/or dance along to whatever moves them. I am in the “many kinds” category. I used to hate country music – I don’t know why – but I like it now and can even get down with country line dancing. I still like classical music, probably from nine years of playing cello, and I grew up on R&B and rock. Lately, I’ve been into Latin music and dance. I am living proof that the old stereotypes of what it is to mature and grow older are being broken right and left.
As boomer women go through their 50s, 60s and 70s, and face the many challenges or demands of growing older, don’t expect them to gravitate toward that rocking chair. Boomer babes will face ageism issues, but will not let that stop them. They will continue to seek meaningful lives. They will change the old stereotypes, and, they will rock on in their own fashion!
Are you a boomer babe, or are you married to or dating one? Did I hit the nail on the head?
