ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the experience of the post-war generation. It then discusses the concept of generations; the different time spans of social processes-long-term processes, conjunctures and historic events; and two important events had determinative influence on Dutch Catholics. Finally, the chapter describes and analyzes the religious differences between four generations during the post-war period. With this general overview of the religious situation in the Netherlands, the chapter explains differences between the generations and confront the original research question of whether these differences can be explained by taking into account the particular vicissitudes of the post-war generation. We have to be wary of general statements about cohorts and delve into the formative factors affecting the post-war generations. According to a study of cohorts and generations in the Netherlands, it is possible to distinguish four generations in the Netherlands. They coexist in the post-war period.
