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.
“Not sure if it’s the unmarried part or the money part, but I find myself spending a lot more time worrying about things...”
Check out www.daveramsey.com. I recently discovered this and the financial stability by just following a plan has been a very big help in my life. I’ve even been able to work through a difficult emotional time by concentrating on the stability of the financial plan.
I’m only 31 and engaged so I’m sure my perspective will change with time, but hopefully my Faith will grow. I’m largely very happy; but that happiness comes largely from my Faith in Jesus.
While I'm not exactly an atheist, I'm probably close enough to answer your question. As a deist, I don't believe in any sort of metaphysical afterlife, any sort of divine judgment, any sort of purpose to life beyond what we give it.
And yet, I'm the happiest person I know.
It's no more difficult than this: I care about the things I value. I love my country. I love my family. I love my culture: science, literature, art, etc. When I die, I want to see these things in good condition, so that they will be as healthy and prosperous as possible for as long as possible after I'm gone. Because I love them, I work hard on their behalf. What has that to do with God or an afterlife? They matter to me, and that's enough.
Furthermore, it pleases my vanity that I be remembered and held in high regard after my death, and that my works and thoughts continue to exert a positive influence on the things I love and value. That legacy is the only sort of afterlife I have available to me; why wouldn't I seek to maximize it? Why doesn't everyone?
Meanwhile, I'm having a blast. The world is a beautiful place for me. I laugh hard. I live the life of the mind. I enjoy my work. I work very hard and am comfortably well compensated for it. I have a smart and gorgeous wife, and I love to take her out dancing. We have four wonderful kids. I'm healthy and reasonably fit (for my age). I have a splendid book collection and a big house to hold it. I look out my window to a lovely vista in Pennsylvania Dutch country, which I adore. I enjoy fine Scotch whisky, delicious food, great literature, and good music. How dare I not be happy?
I just got divorced out of a bad marriage and I am 36. The best is yet to come.
Silly Christian. You could be 72 times as happy, if you'd just do this one little thing for allah...
Ever try burnt honeycomb?
"Life is like a sewer, what you get out of it depends entirely on what you put into it" - Hen3ry, as related by Tom Leher...
Thanks! And it sounds damn true! ;-)
burn a small tuna can of honey with a propane torch everytime I enter the stand for a quick air burst of fresh scent....the guys that hunt the BWCA can only use scents in this manner,burn bacon grease,honey,anis oil etc.
For us left coast city folk does BWCA=Boundary Waters Canoe Area?
yup,I’m 15mi south of that border for my zone
My mid life crisis was when I was in my 20s. Late 30s and early 40s have been frustrating for career reasons. I got stuck by the log jam of boomers. Thankfully, the jam is breaking up just in time for me to sprint all the way to at least 65. ;)
I think one's misery years hit when one realizes he or she made too many choices due to what other people want.
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