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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: toast
Will be 49 next month. Last weekend, the kid I taught to kneeboard took me out to do the same. It felt good. Next time out, I will dust off my slalom ski I haven’t used in 23 years.
101 posted on 08/15/2007 2:24:36 PM PDT by Deguello
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To: cll; poindexter

The older kits took a lot longer. Now all of the parts have prepunched holes. Cleco the parts together, drill the holes out to size, debur and rivet. The record on putting one of these together is 58 days. I expect to take 2-3 years. When anyone asks when it’ll fly my standard answer is “Friday” (I’m just not sayin’ which one).


102 posted on 08/15/2007 2:27:12 PM PDT by BearCub
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To: cll

and it works wonderful as fishing bait!

(of course it is most useful for land fishing)


103 posted on 08/15/2007 2:28:38 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: Charles Martel
Makes my classic car restoration hobby look like childs play.

The biggest difference being that if the restored car breaks down, you can get out and walk...

104 posted on 08/15/2007 2:29:22 PM PDT by null and void (I hate to suggest something this radical, but why not let the policy follow the facts? ~ReignOfError)
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To: Responsibility2nd

Yippee, a post that is actually helpful, LOL! He says he wants to exercise, like, “Yeah, I should really ride my bike sometime...” but it seems he doesn’t have the gumption to ACT on his good intentions. I’ve wondered if his testosterone is low.

His dad had triple bypass surgery. His cholesterol is high. He was in the obese category, but after biking last summer he lost 25 lbs and is now in the overweight category. No doubt I will pay a price for his inaction. It’s hard to understand how a man can let his health go, knowing he might make his wife a widow, or worry her terribly.


105 posted on 08/15/2007 2:29:30 PM PDT by Abigail Adams
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To: Lazamataz
I turned 38 in May. Fortunately, I underwent 17 years of arrested development so I have the maturity level of a 21 year old.

I look forward to aging gracefully, and not going gentle into that good night.

106 posted on 08/15/2007 2:30:19 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: toast

He’s usually too tired, LOL!


107 posted on 08/15/2007 2:30:46 PM PDT by Abigail Adams
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To: null and void

(Groan......)

As that news camera was rolling, more than fifty humans were dying an extremely painful death.


108 posted on 08/15/2007 2:34:11 PM PDT by elcid1970
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To: Responsibility2nd

I’m so old my balls float when I take a bath.

BigMack


109 posted on 08/15/2007 2:35:34 PM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
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To: Responsibility2nd
Years of marriage finally take their toll and a man realizes why gold is a such heavy metal. In spite of it being such a small ring on his finger, it has miraculously added 30 pounds to his frame.

He then suffers FDS or Furniture Displacement Syndrome.

Meaning his chest has fallen into his drawers.

Then at 45 he rationalizes that like all good craftsmen, when one has a good tool, one builds a shed over it.

110 posted on 08/15/2007 2:36:25 PM PDT by N. Theknow (Kennedys: Can't drive, can't fly, can't ski, can't skipper a boat; but they know what's best for us)
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To: Abigail Adams
What was wrong with my advice???

With a GF he’d be motivated to exercise and spruce himself up, and it wouldn’t take all that long before he realized that he’s not 20 or 30 anymore, and he really does need to take care of himself.

And not all that long after that he’d come to the conclusion that he ain’t a kid anymore, and can’t keep up with (or even understand) a 20 something...

111 posted on 08/15/2007 2:37:21 PM PDT by null and void (I hate to suggest something this radical, but why not let the policy follow the facts? ~ReignOfError)
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To: Abigail Adams
He’s usually too tired, LOL!

I rest my case...

112 posted on 08/15/2007 2:39:03 PM PDT by null and void (I hate to suggest something this radical, but why not let the policy follow the facts? ~ReignOfError)
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To: elcid1970

And your point is?


113 posted on 08/15/2007 2:40:04 PM PDT by null and void (I hate to suggest something this radical, but why not let the policy follow the facts? ~ReignOfError)
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To: billygoatgruff
Actually I'm afraid it is more like this... :-(

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

114 posted on 08/15/2007 2:44:02 PM PDT by expatguy (New and Improved ! - Support "An American Expat in Southeast Asia")
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To: Abigail Adams

He’ll be fine.

Look at my posts, and the many other posts by men who have gone through these years.

It’s not called a mid-life crisis for nothing.

But men do reach a point where they take serious stock of things they need to do.

And you husband will do the same. He will see what his own father went through and learn from that. He will see others who managed to improve their health, and he will take charge.

My advice: You get a bike, too. Do not set unrealistic goals, but the two of you: start out biking 3 times a week. For just 30 minutes.

That’s all. Later... add in more time on the bikes. But for now... both of you go bike riding.


115 posted on 08/15/2007 2:44:47 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
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To: Triggerhippie
>>When I hit 40. It seems 40 hit back.

Great... Currently, 39 is pummeling me and has me on the ropes. It doesn't get any better?<<

Good luck. I turned forty last year and as determined as I was, saying it was just a number, it's been the worst year of my life. You just have to ride it out.

116 posted on 08/15/2007 2:46:05 PM PDT by Smittie
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To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain

Please.

Please!!

For the love of God, PLEASE!!!!

Never post nothing like that again.

(Now where did I put that brain floss, for mental images?)


117 posted on 08/15/2007 2:46:42 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
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To: Responsibility2nd; Abigail Adams
both of you go bike riding.

BOTH. Good advice.

118 posted on 08/15/2007 2:48:05 PM PDT by null and void (I hate to suggest something this radical, but why not let the policy follow the facts? ~ReignOfError)
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To: Responsibility2nd

It hit me at age 28.

Laid up in the hospital, military career unexpectedly over, knowing that I would never run, ski or play sports again.

16 years later, I still can’t run and have no desire to play sports but I have a great wife, good business and three great kids. I can’t move fast but I’m physically stronger than I ever was in my twenties.

I’m working my tail off but I would hardly call these my misery years.


119 posted on 08/15/2007 2:49:52 PM PDT by dangerdoc (dangerdoc (not actually dangerous any more))
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To: Responsibility2nd

Gotta add my $.02 here too.

I can definitely relate to this article as well. I’m 44, unmarried, make a decent (but not spectacular) amount of money, and am a little freaked out about the future.

Not sure if it’s the unmarried part or the money part, but I find myself spending a lot more time worrying about things than I used to when I was younger; seriously wish I could go back and do a few things over again.

But, I’m pretty healthy, so it’s not all bad, but still.....


120 posted on 08/15/2007 3:06:29 PM PDT by hcd707
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