The Baby Boom
婴儿潮
The baby boom is what Americans call the period between 1946 and 1964,
婴儿潮发生于1946年至1964年间,
when the number of births in the United States increased sharply.
在那期间每个的出生人口迅速增长。
Population experts say a law helped create the baby boom.
人口专家指出,婴儿潮的出现有赖于一项法规的实施。
The law gave soldiers who served in World War II and the Korean War the financial support they needed to start families.
当时,凡是在二战和朝鲜战争中服役的士兵,都可以获得经济补助以建立家庭。
It also provided education, loan guarantees and other assistance for former soldiers.
这项法律也为他们提供教育,贷款担保和其他帮助。
Millions received education and bought homes through the plan.
许多人因此接受了教育,买了新房。
The phrase baby boom describes more than just population growth.
婴儿潮这一说法描述的并不仅仅是人口数量的增加,
It also describes a period of change in American culture.
也叙述了美国文化发生改变的一段时期。
Many baby boomers were less conservative than their parents.
在那段时期出生的小孩,思想较他们的父母开放。
During the 60s and 70s, these young people had their own ideas about sex and drugs.
在60年代和70年代时,这些成长起来的年轻人已经有了自己关于性行为和毒品的看法。
Baby boomers also became politically active.
他们在政治领域中表现十分活跃。
Some fought in Vietnam.
有些参加了越南战争,
But others protested the war, or found ways not to serve.
但其他人却反对战争,设法不去服兵役。
America continues to feel the political and social effects of the baby boom.
如今,美国仍能感受道婴儿潮所带来的政治和社会影响。