The Story of a Generation Life Course Pathways of the Class of `73

The Story of a Generation, a follow-up to Opportunity and Uncertainty: Life Course Experiences of the Class of ’73 (2000), continues where its predecessor left off. Through surveys and in-depth interviews with a high school class that graduated in 1973, the researchers uncover how these individuals – part of the late baby boomer generation – navigated a rapidly changing world.
Through this process, some patterns emerged: parents’ education played a defining role in shaping their children’s futures, while technology revolutionized workplaces and homes. Gender roles shifted, with spouses sharing domestic duties – though not yet equally. And as they aged, this generation found themselves at the forefront of redefining retirement, balancing longer lives with evolving financial and social expectations.
Beyond personal stories, The Story of a Generation offers a deeper understanding of how broader social forces – economic shifts, cultural changes, and technological advancements – interacted with individual choices. It’s more than just a study of one group of Canadians; it’s a reflection on how societies transform and how people adapt along the way. For anyone interested in sociology, history, or the human experience, this book provides a rare, intimate look at the passage of time – and the stories we leave behind.

Paul Anisef is a professor emeritus of sociology at York University. Paul Axelrod is a professor emeritus of education at York University. Carl E. James is a professor of education and Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora at York University. Wolfgang Lehmann is a professor of sociology and associate dean of undergraduate students and programs at Western University. Karen Robson is a professor of sociology and Ontario Research Chair in Academic Achievement and At-Risk Youth at McMaster University. Erika McDonald is a PhD graduate in sociology at York University. Erica Fae Thomson is a PhD candidate in sociology at McMaster University.