General Education for the Too Late Generation.

Rapidly changing patterns of birthrates over the past several decades have created a Canadian and North American population whose age structure shows continuing and potentially oscillating changes in its age group distribution. The increased participation of women in the workforce and their promotional aspirations further complicate what were already complex societal problems resulting from the post-war baby boom. This variability in age group distribution leads not only to marked changes in community college enrollments, but also to major job and promotional difficulties, and finally, to possible changes in retirement patterns for current and prospective graduates. For demographic reasons, those born at the end of the post-war baby boom and in the mid- and late 1960's are likely to find themselves particularly disadvantaged with respect to career development and job promotion. Governmental fiscal policies, transnational corporations, and third-world development patterns are likely to have a major impact on the career prospects of this group. An examination of these three factors provides an insight into the future working world that suggests general directions in which student and program resources might be reallocated, and, in particular, some general education courses that might be developed. Such courses might be in the areas of future studies, cope-ability development, and personal growth and development. (Author/AYC)