Enrollment In College Programs By Baby Boomers example essay topic

Landlord-tenant law combines three areas of law; 1.) property law 2.) contract law and 3.) negligence law. Colleges nation wide have been reporting strong surges in enrollment largely due to baby boomers returning to school. Baby boomers are Americans born between 1946 and 1964. Soldiers returning from WWII caused a rise in the birth rate of the United States, creating a "boom" which is where the term "baby boom" comes from. There were approximately 76 million baby boomers born during that 18 year span. The baby boomer generation is now creating a "boom" in the field of adult education.

Enrollment in college programs by baby boomers has risen substantially. In 2001 the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that more than 20 percent of United States college students are above the age of 30. (qt d. in CNN 1). The National Center for Education Statistics also reported that enrollment of students aged 40 and older has increased by 48 percent from the early 1970's. (1).

The baby boomer generation has become the driving force behind the growth of adult education. The benefits of higher education for the boomers have been greater than that of their parents. Baby boomer parents are from the Great Depression generation. These Great Depression era parents were immigrants who believed that hard work was the way to succeed in life. Upon arriving in America, the immigrants needed skills to help them live in their new homeland.

They learned a new language, to read and that education was necessary to secure their future. These parents raised their children with the belief that education would open many doors for their children's futures. The effects of education for the baby boomers was stronger than for their parents of the Great Depression generation. "Both baby boomers and their parents enjoyed a positive association between net worth and education".

(Keister 5). According to National Center for Educational Statistics the boomers have acquired more wealth by the age of 30 than their immigrant parents had acquired by that same age. The boomers have enjoyed a higher income than their parents substantiating the theory that higher education is the key to success. Educated boomers were enjoying the reward of a higher lifestyle than that of their uneducated immigrant parents.

The baby boomer students have proven themselves to be the fastest growing educational demographic. Record breaking boomer enrollment in part-time adult education programs has been reported throughout the country. Baby boomer enrollments are increasing proportionately faster than enrollment of younger students. Today the baby boomers have reached middle age and expect to remain physically active for most of their life. Career changes, corporate downsizing and the wave of new technology requires that baby boomers return to the classroom to update their skills. "Labor forces of the future will see dramatic changes as the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age".

(Niznik 1). The boomer labor force age group of 45-64 will grow at a fast pace due to baby boomers not retiring. The growth of enrollment of baby boomers in the professional degree programs has been substantial. More than half of the enrollment for the managerial degrees are baby boomer students. Having a college degree affords baby boomers great opportunities for their future. As Knable pointed out, "Without having the proper credentials baby boomers feel they may not have the qualifications required for the position they desire".

(Knable 3). Baby boomers want careers that give them energy, a sense of self determination and the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to their world. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that "Jobs requiring a bachelor -2-degree are expected to grow the most quickly in the 21st Century, nearly twice as fast as the average for all occupations". (Knable 2). These jobs will require higher skills in math and language along with better reasoning capabilities. (3).

The Bureau of Labor Statistics report that there will be fewer jobs for the unskilled and under educated employee in the future. J. Steven Niznik feels that, "Baby boomers are taking control of the labor force in the new millennium". (Niznik 1). However, baby boomers know that they must keep their skills updated and fresh to compete with the younger work force. Successfully maintaining a career is an ongoing process that involves the development of new skills and includes exploring new learning opportunities. Baby boomers believe that a quality education is all that is required to keep up with the changes in the world.

The colleges today are tailoring their programs for the baby boomer, they are looking at boomers as lifelong learners who will be needing programs to fit their retirement lifestyles. Ed Shanahan, editor for My Generation magazine reasons, "When you get to the age of 45, 50, 55, this is one of your last good chances to tackle something you always wanted to do but put off for several reasons". (qt d. in CNN 1). Baby boomers are not looking at retirement as a way to live out their later days. At the University of Pennsylvania, about 58 percent of students taking noncredit courses are baby boomers over the age of 50. (qt d. in CNN 2).

Courses offered range from wine tasting to making oriental rugs to impressionist painting. The colleges offering the noncredit courses are helping baby boomers secure a higher quality of life in their senior years and a longer period of independence for the retirement years. -3- An AARP study (qt d. in Trachtenberg 2) showed that over 73 percent of baby boomers said that baby boomers will be involved with hobbies or special interests during their retirement. Baby boomers are experiencing a different type of retirement needs than any other generation. Colleges and activity centers now offer activities to please everyone, from flower arranging to ball room dancing to auto mechanics. The decades-long trend of early retirement does not appeal to baby boomers.

Economic factors will play a role in baby boomers working beyond the age of 50. Due to the loss of investment in their 401 (k) their nest egg is probably gone. As a result of this loss, boomers will need to work longer than they had planned. Medical projections for the baby boomer generation is that they are expected to remain actively fit well into their 80's.

(Knable 2). Our aging population of baby boomers will bring many changes to our society. "The increasing presence of senior citizens may present a windfall of sorts for colleges and universities that are alert to the possibilities". (Trachtenberg 1, 2). Retiring baby boomers will carry great influence over how the government handles funding to the colleges in the future.

Stephen Trachtenberg envisions a bright future for colleges: "At a time when the relationship between America and its colleges and universities has never seemed more troubled and uncertain, the potential arrival of baby boomers at our gates raises a remarkable possibility. Our institutions may once again find themselves at the very core of American culture and of what will be seen, in retrospect, as the new -4-American life style-one in which those rich in years keep themselves in optimum shape through a combination of physical and intellectual activity, in a setting uniquely suited to their maturity". (Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, "Preparing For "Baby Boomers", Older Students Will Bring New Opportunities To Colleges) Achieving meaningful life work is an ongoing process that involves developing skills and exploring new learning opportunities. Baby boomers understand that higher education helps individuals to discover their needs, interests and values.

Higher education gives boomers insight into the nature of work and labor versus highly skilled career choices and then assists in bringing the two areas together. Growth of the enrollment trend of baby boomers at the secondary education level reflects not only their attitude or drive to attain higher education, it also represents their response to the changing social and economic conditions of the baby boomers retirement years. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the secondary education level of enrollment rose dramatically throughout the 1970's. (NCES 1, 2). The 70's were the college years for the baby boomer generation searching to define their future, and again colleges are seeing a surge in enrollment of adult education degree programs due to boomers searching for education to guide them with their retirement future. Why are baby boomers are the driving force in adult education today?

Thomas Knable describes the baby boomers need for education in this way, "Many baby boomers feel that ongoing education enhances opportunities, provides a good insurance policy against obsolescence, and is one of the most positive ways to increase job security and -5-achieve promotions". (Knable 4). Baby boomers agree that it is never too late to go back to school whether you return to update your skills or you wish to launch a new business or career. Lifelong learning has become more important than ever in today's ever-changing job market.

Colleges and universities are recognizing the need for continuing adult education programs and are working to provide a format to meet the baby boomer needs of the future..