The Silent Generation
and Clutter Control

The silent generation is also called the veteran's demographic because of the significant influence of the second world war and the military model of thinking that ordinary citizens assumed during the war years.

They have a strong view of authority and were raised with the value of "duty before self". Because of this they may not be inclined to think about what they should do for their own good and their motivation to keep items may have more to do with their belief that the item might be useful to others.

The silent generation grew up with very little variety or choices of consumable goods and they were often limited to what was available within walking distance of their home. Catalogue shopping was the only way to purchase items that were not available locally and of course the internet was unknown.

Several persistent beliefs may prompt this generation to hang onto things that are no longer of use in their own life. Clutter control is more difficult when the following beliefs are present:

Major influences on organized living include:

• war
• the great depression
• post war boom

• I paid good money for that so it is valuable and I should hang onto it
• I might never get the chance to get another one
• Being wasteful is bad and if I throw something away I am a bad person.
• I might need this at some other time
• It might be worth something
• Somebody could use this

Unfortunately the beliefs of the baby boomer parents meant that they did not teach their children how to purge their possessions which accounts for the large amount of clutter in the homes of the baby boomer generation!

Based on their age, experience, and expectations here is a possible clutter profile for this demographic group:

• expired toiletries
• expired medications
• medications stored in containers with labels that are no longer legible
• outdated technology - cameras, radios, televisions
• electrical appliances that no longer work
• bills, receipts, tax returns
• linens that have not been used for decades
• family ephemera such as pictures, documents, and family papers though unlikely to be archived properly

The silent generation may view their home as monument to their pursuits and hobbies and like to have items on display because of emotional attachments. Emotional attachments to things makes clutter control more difficult.

Items that are no longer useful to them may be kept simply because the item is viewed as having potential.