Chapters Three and Four Summary and Analysis

Howe and Strauss begin chapter three describing the normal lives of Baby Boomer teenagers in 1962, which seemed very wholesome and peaceful. However, the Boomers go on to be one of the most socially revolutionary generations in American history. Howe and Strauss contend that people are always surprised by how generations rebel because most people, experts included, tend to simply project current trends to continue in the future.

According to Howe and Strauss, every generation rebels, but the means through which it rebels is determined by the persona of earlier generations. Generations rebel by solving the major problem of the generation that precedes them, correcting the excesses of the generation at midlife, and filling the role left by the dying generation. For instance, Bommers solve the problem of the Silent Generation, attack the G.I. Generation...