Who Are the Silent Generation, and How Did War Shape Their Lives?

People born before 1946 are known as the “Silent Generation,” a group whose early lives were shaped by the economic hardship of the Great Depression and the upheaval of World War II.

These events formed the backdrop to their childhood and youth, placing financial insecurity and conflict at the centre of their formative years. For many, stability was something to protect rather than take for granted.

Growing up amid scarcity could encourage caution about spending and an emphasis on saving. Wartime uncertainty could also reinforce a sense of duty and the importance of family and community support.

The label “silent” is commonly associated with a restrained outlook and a tendency to value discipline over confrontation. It does not mean that everyone in the generation shared the same personality or responded to hardship in the same way.

Their experiences varied across countries and households, but the Depression and war remain central to understanding the generation: both exposed young people to profound uncertainty, with effects that could extend well into adulthood.