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Why the late-30s are a man's misery years
This is London ^

Posted on 08/15/2007 1:10:15 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd

Some might say that all they have to worry about is getting to work on time and the onset of a little middle-aged spread.

But men in their late-30s and early-40s are the least content of all of us, it seems.

Whether they are mourning the passing of their prime or struggling to cope with the demands of a job and young family, those aged 35-44 invariably hit a mid-life crisis when their happiness level plunges lower than at any other age, according to a study for the Government.

It makes them the least satisfied members of society, scoring well below teenagers, the elderly - and women of all ages.

Researchers found that it takes men until they reach the age of 65 to start enjoying life as much as they did in their late-teens and early-20s.

More than 1,600 people were asked to score their wellbeing on a scale of one to ten in the study, part of the British Market Research Bureau survey of Britons' attitudes towards themselves,

The overall average satisfaction level for both sexes was 7.3.

Most men rated their carefree teenage years between the age of 16-24 as one if their happiest periods, with an average score of 7.55 out of ten.

But halfway through their careers, satisfaction levels dipped to a low of 6.8, only rising again to nearly 7.8 once they had crested retirement age.

The report found that women are less buoyant in their teens than men, rating their wellbeing at 7.3 out of ten.

Women said their worst years were between the age of 25 and 34, when most are coping with young children, but their wellbeing rose steadily as they got older, reaching hit a peak satisfaction level of 7.65 when over the age of 65.

Researchers found that most people rated their time at universityas the best years of their life, closely followed by their retirement years.

The biggest difference between the sexes was in the contentment of those not working, with women far happier than men to stay at home not seeking work.

Overall, 74 per cent of the UK population reported that they feel positive about themselves.

But women are more likely to fret, with almost half admitting that they worry a lot, compared to less than a third of men.


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: genx; men
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To: Triggerhippie

Nope. Not till after after the kids are grown, the mortgage is paid for, and you can retire.

(Or so I’ve been told)


21 posted on 08/15/2007 1:26:17 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
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To: cll

At 42 healed myself that way...bought my deuce


22 posted on 08/15/2007 1:26:24 PM PDT by woollyone (whyquit.com ...if you think you can't quit, you're simply not informed yet.)
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To: Responsibility2nd

41.

Pretty friggin happy for the most part. Job burn out but what you gonna do? Pays the bills, but we have no kids and wont be having them.

Finally have income to spend on all the things I enjoy.

Only thing that bums me out is our puny human lifespans.

I want a few millenia, like those highlander guys!


23 posted on 08/15/2007 1:27:31 PM PDT by Names Ash Housewares
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To: Triggerhippie

Bought it at age 38...


24 posted on 08/15/2007 1:27:34 PM PDT by cll (Carthage must be destroyed)
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To: Responsibility2nd; qam1

This is the age Rodney Dangerfield quit selling aluminum siding.


25 posted on 08/15/2007 1:27:35 PM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: Responsibility2nd

It’s the recognition that all that “youth” stuff is going away, that the peak of debt has hit, that life truly is finite after all, responsibility has taken over nearly every waking moment, and that there’s too much baggage (emotional, legal and physical) to just take off for new adventures.

It’s the realization that whatever you did wrong you wish you had done right, and what you did right you wish you’d done a little more wrong.

It’s that you have too much to lose: financial risks, motorcycle racing, world travel on a shoestring, combat, chasing tail, etc. are past being options for testing oneself and winning (or losing) big.

At 39, I know of what I speak.


26 posted on 08/15/2007 1:27:46 PM PDT by ctdonath2 (The color blue tastes like the square root of 0?)
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To: cll

Stop tempting me.


27 posted on 08/15/2007 1:28:32 PM PDT by ctdonath2 (The color blue tastes like the square root of 0?)
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To: Minnesoootan
I’m 43,been working the same job for 24yrs,got 10yrs left on the mortgage,truck is paid off,still single,got money in the bank and good retirement account,health is good,activity is good...bear baiting starts this weekend....life couldn’t be better!

Well, YOU da' Man!! LOL!
28 posted on 08/15/2007 1:29:04 PM PDT by bearsgirl90
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To: Responsibility2nd

I turned 34 not too long ago, not too long ago I saw my first gray hairs in my stubble. Life is now over.


29 posted on 08/15/2007 1:29:30 PM PDT by vpintheak (Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. Prov. 25:26)
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To: Triggerhippie
Great... Currently, 39 is pummeling me and has me on the ropes. It doesn't get any better?

Yes, when you hit 65 you can get senior citizen discounts at the movies!

30 posted on 08/15/2007 1:30:24 PM PDT by Cementjungle
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To: All

Maybe it’s because at about age 40 you figure out that white males aged 40 are the most discriminated against age group in America.....


31 posted on 08/15/2007 1:32:11 PM PDT by Alright_on_the_LeftCoast
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To: Responsibility2nd
In anticipation of turning 40 next year, I made some dramatic changes in my health and weight and I feel better than ever.

Your reality is the meaning you give any situation. I am actually looking forward to turning 40 and I am focusing on all that I have accomplished which is about everything I really wanted in life.

My current focus is trying to understand what I now want to attract into my life in the next 15 years.

32 posted on 08/15/2007 1:32:20 PM PDT by GWB00 (Barbara Streisand barely made it out of high school.)
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To: Responsibility2nd

For me, those years were the best of times and the worst of times. All of my kids were getting old enough to start playing sports and get into other activities and I really enjoyed getting involved with that. But on the other side of the coin, the pressure of providing for my family, working two jobs, living paycheck to paycheck, sucked! :-)

I’m 51 now, my daughter is on her own, my oldest son is starting his second year of college and my youngest is in his senior year of high school. My wife and are enjoying ourselves and although we’re still living paycheck to paycheck, we’re handling things better, or can it be we’re just burnt-out! :-)


33 posted on 08/15/2007 1:33:06 PM PDT by rochester_veteran (born and raised in rachacha!)
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To: Names Ash Housewares

LOL, who knows, maybe if you can make it a another several decades medical technology will catch up. :p


34 posted on 08/15/2007 1:33:57 PM PDT by Constantine XIII
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To: Responsibility2nd

After punching a clock for 31 years as well as running a sideline business, I retired from my job last month to pay full attention to my web design business. Man, am I happy!!!!


35 posted on 08/15/2007 1:34:30 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler ("A person's a person no matter how small." -Dr. Seuss)
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To: GWB00

Good for you.

I was 48 when I decided to drop 40 pounds.

Wish I had done that years ago.


36 posted on 08/15/2007 1:34:37 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
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To: All

Yep, 40 hit and I found I’m not getting any better looking, and I’m not where I hoped I would be as far as a career.


37 posted on 08/15/2007 1:35:09 PM PDT by ropin71 (God Bless our Troops!)
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To: Responsibility2nd

I just turned 30.

It kinda hit me hard.


38 posted on 08/15/2007 1:35:19 PM PDT by RockinRight (Fred Thompson once set fire to a crowd of liberals simply by puffing his cigar and staring real hard)
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To: cll

I chose to give myself a child.... nice bike though..


39 posted on 08/15/2007 1:35:41 PM PDT by ßuddaßudd (7 days - 7 ways Guero >>> with a floating, shifting, ever changing persona....)
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To: ctdonath2

Wow-you really hit it on the head.


40 posted on 08/15/2007 1:37:14 PM PDT by MattinNJ (I'm pulling for Fred Thompson and Duncan Hunter-...but I'd vote for Rudy against Hillary)
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