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.
Make sure you trust Christ as your personal savior and you’ll have an eternity to live. :)
Manatee ping
You nailed it.
When we went over the fall of the Soviet Union everyone else was "learning about it" while myself and the other guy were remembering it.
Holy crap people, who the hell cares. As if your 40s is something to mope about. I have diabetes and statistically will die a painful death before I even taste 60. I love my life and I live every moment of it as best as I can. I simply hope that I can see my daughter’s high school graduation.
I’m 44, it shocks the heck out of me that my beard is not red anymore.
They should come vacation Florida more often. Some of our illegals might even learn what English sounds like. We'd be obliged...
That is good advice! I do have a mountain bike. But I also have tendonitis, so I can’t bike very long. Plus, I’ve got my own hormonal thing going on and don’t like to go very far from the house.
Hubby is hard-core when he bikes. He’s got the jersey and a road bike, and figures it’s not worth riding unless you’re going to ride for an hour. We do tool around the neighborhood once in a while. But it’s not enough for him to work up a sweat, while I am feeling the burn, LOL! He’s kinda all-or-nothing about a lot of things.
I wonder if men figure once they’re married they don’t have to be attractive any more. When we were dating he used to ride bike every day and lift weights several times a week. As soon as we got married, the exercise went out the window.
He is talking about getting an off-road motorcycle, because he used to ride one as a teenager. I guess a lot of men feel the need for motorcycles at this time in their lives! Makes me scratch my head...Oh, I think my hairline is receeding, just like his, LOL!
“I don’t know how atheists stay happy after a certain age.’
Maybe it’s because we don’t feel there’s some purpose we’re supposed to be fulfilling, and it most cases, aren’t. No guilt.
My 40’s have been the best years of my life thus far. Certainly better than that nightmare of the teens and certainly better than the uncertainty of my 20’s. My 30’s weren’t bad, but things were tight and I had a young family. The 40’s have been much better. Hell, I’m even in the best physical shape of my life.
With a Harley, you’ll get plenty of those. It’s amazing how that works.
You’re born naked, wet, tired and hungry....and then it gets worse.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kind of like realizing that the old 'Ginger or Maryanne' debate now includes Lovey Howell as a possible choice.
Infancy and senility is where its at. All the years in between are just bull$hit.
Hey pal, what’s the slogan or saying you told me once about a man in his 40s?
Psychiatrist and philosopher Victor Frankl said that man needed to find meaning to be happy. Was Frankl wrong in your case, or do you find meaning without feeling you need to address a larger picture?
I don't flame people for their beliefs--or lack of them. I can't prove that what I believe is correct. I'm just curious how people of different views face the big questions in life.
It’s up to me to bring meaning to my life. If I choose not to, that’s alright, too. The good Dr Frankl must surely have heard of existentialism, which says there is no external purpose, no karma for individual lives. Is existentialism wrong?
Good for you! My mom just turned 89 and is still in very good health (although did have some minor surgery this year - her first stay in a hospital except for having babies!).
But in the last few years she has started to slow down and getting some arthritis, etc. She says “oh to be 80 again...”!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.