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.
I turn 40 tomorrow. I feel your pain.
It gets worse. I just turned 44 and not only do I require more stimulation now days but I recently had to get glasses so I can read. :-(
Yep. lol
Maybe they should get together and compare notes?
Two years ago, when I was 39, I saw my 10 year old’s skateboard laying on the side of the driveway. Remembering my teen years I decided to give it a try for old times sake. I went down the driveway 4 times with no problem and felt it was coming back to me. Feeling a little cocky I decided to “try something”....
I ended up doing a belly flop in the driveway with my arms slapping the blacktop. I ended up with both elbows broken. It took me six weeks to feel OK. A whole year to feel normal again.
Now when I look at the kids skateboard all I see is the symbol of my lost youth. I would like to try it again but visions of myself trying to wipe my a$$ with two broken elbows keep haunting me.
Put something exciting between your legs...
Well said.
I’m soon to be 36, and I cannot afford to be as carefree as my youthful days. Hell, I just blinked, and now I have a wife, 2 kids, a home w/ a second mortgage, a dog, and what seems to be an increasing amount of debt....when did this all happen?
However, as much as I’d like to complain, I still have it better than many other people.
(must keep repeating)
(must keep repeating)
(must keep repeating)
:-)
I dunno, I got tired of road rash from wipeouts in high school in the 70's.
That's the best thing I've read today. I'm 37 now and over the years it has always been my way to stop what I'm doing, where I'm going and change directions. Someting new, different, challenging. It gets trickier as one's responsibilities increase.
Ever notice how quickly time passes now that you are in a routine? I'll bet that those piano lessons add alot of time to your week.
Myself, I'm looking at the banjo...
When I was 25 I didn't think 40 year old men were unattractive. Now if you'd have said 60' or 70's lol (when I was 25)
I don't think it's all that bad either. I have noticed I don't chop as much wood as I once did. :)
I turn 83 pretty soon, and I don’t know what you all are talking about. I’m about as happy as I’ve ever been, have lots of friends of all ages, am still learning new things, (just got myself a “Blackjack” phone with a Qwerty keyboard), and I don’t belong to one senior group or take bus trips anywhere. And by the way, my 85 year old sister teaches a computer class. Life is good!
I have to tell myself that every birthday.
Neither could my wife.
I hope that wasn't at the same time.
Bought my Triumph at 44
My wife is great, but there are some things even she will not do.
The two prototypes crashed and Randy never continued with the design... back to the S-12 .... I hope I can get a physical once I'm done working.
I think a big reason for this (and I’m 38) is that this is the time that men realize they’re not immortal, their bodies start to show signs of aging (and you can feel it, too), and importantly, we start noticing disease and mortality a lot more. We realize that at this age, despite western living standards, there may very well be fewer years ahead than there are behind.
Wimin!
NO!!!
Definitely Not!
(Oh, The Hugh Manatee!)
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