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.
My best years were pre-Kindergarten and it has been all downhill from there...
I hear you loud and clear.I got married when I was 40.
It kinda hit me hard.
BWAHAAHAAA!! You just wait!Sorry. That wasn't nice.
And thus no longer a member of that most desirable demographics everyone seems to cater to ... the 18 to 34 y.o. male ....
now we are officially nobodies :)
n00b :) You got great years ahead of ya'. Trust me on that.
Please tell me you're a gurl. If so, FReep mail me your number...
At 39, I agree with every word you wrote.
Depending, of course, on which way you're going when you go...
Getting older isn’t all that bad.I find that I can do things at 55 that I never could do at 25.Like find 40 year old women attractive.
Nothing personal (or don’t take this wrong), but it sux being you....
Nice. I have a friend that spent ten years on one of those. Have fun!
*snrk* Wait until you hit 50...
Do it, man...
Amen! I'm at that awkward age where the mothers and daughters are equally attractive...
I’m 41. I’ve been thinking through the reality that my life is probably closer to the end than the beginning.
But then I think each morning that God has given me a new day and I have the power to make the most of it. Just because you’re half way through the sundae doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the rest of the sundae.
I started taking piano lessons in January. I found I’m not too old to learn something new.
In short, I’m pretty happy most of the time. I do wonder if I should be doing more wth my life than I’m doing, but I think God is just planting a seed in me and the answer to that question will be revealed soon.
I think I’ve been pretty happy in my life because I believe God has a purpose for me and is subtly guiding me through life. Things happen for a reason.
I don’t know how atheists stay happy after a certain age. I know some do, but it would have to involve a whole different model for viewing life. I guess you could say “life has no purpose other than pursuing pleasure”, but that approach is a difficult way to find happiness at 20 and an almost imposssible way to find happiness at age 40.
Ahh; my mid-life crisis!
My girlfriend tried to figure me out. But she couldn’t.
Neither could my wife.
30 hit me kinda hard, too. But at 35, we’re just now starting a family and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m a woman, BTW, and have quit my job to stay home with the bambino. But my husband (also 35) says he’s the most content he’s ever been right now, too.
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