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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: demsux
Bought my Triumph at 44

Nothing like a British car to put life's troubles in perspective. ;)

81 posted on 08/15/2007 2:09:05 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: toast
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.

I apologize for laughing so heartily at your post, but my minds eye saw your "try something" clearly.

82 posted on 08/15/2007 2:09:06 PM PDT by processing please hold (Duncan Hunter '08) (ROP and Open Borders-a terrorist marriage and hell's coming with them)
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To: Tijeras_Slim

Actually, it’s a Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle...it’s a classic looking brit bike.


83 posted on 08/15/2007 2:10:55 PM PDT by demsux
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To: BearCub
Now I've just got to finish building it...

See you in 10 years!

84 posted on 08/15/2007 2:11:28 PM PDT by poindexter
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To: rabscuttle385
Well, I have been married for 27 years, so....
'nuff said.

85 posted on 08/15/2007 2:11:55 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
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To: rabscuttle385
Well, I have been married for 27 years, so....
'nuff said.

86 posted on 08/15/2007 2:12:02 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
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To: Responsibility2nd

87 posted on 08/15/2007 2:12:24 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: demsux

Ah-ha!

I got rid of my Ducati last year... I knew I was riding on borrowed time.

Stay safe, FRiend.


88 posted on 08/15/2007 2:12:59 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: Responsibility2nd

29 was bad for me. Once I hit 30 I was resigned to the inevitable and never looked back. As one of my parents’ friends say, it’s a good day when you wake up on the green side of the grass.


89 posted on 08/15/2007 2:13:24 PM PDT by cinives (On some planets what I do is considered normal.)
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To: garbanzo
I have to tell myself that every birthday.

I can't do anything about getting older but maybe worry about it. Why worry about it if it only ages you to begin with, so I don't.

90 posted on 08/15/2007 2:14:08 PM PDT by processing please hold (Duncan Hunter '08) (ROP and Open Borders-a terrorist marriage and hell's coming with them)
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To: GWB00

My hubby seems to be in denial of his age—he just turned 42. He needs to exercise and lose some weight, but he doesn’t ever get around to it. I seem to be coming to terms with my aging okay. I don’t know how to help him do so. I wonder how long it will be before he realizes he’s not 20 or 30 anymore, and he really does need to take care of himself? Any advice?


91 posted on 08/15/2007 2:15:03 PM PDT by Abigail Adams
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To: Abigail Adams
My hubby seems to be in denial of his age—he just turned 42. He needs to exercise and lose some weight, but he doesn’t ever get around to it. I seem to be coming to terms with my aging okay. I don’t know how to help him do so. I wonder how long it will be before he realizes he’s not 20 or 30 anymore, and he really does need to take care of himself? Any advice?

Cut him off from sex, telling him you "don't do it with fattys".

92 posted on 08/15/2007 2:17:38 PM PDT by Lazamataz (JOIN THE NRA: https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/signup.asp)
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To: expatguy

me so horney, me love you long time....


93 posted on 08/15/2007 2:19:13 PM PDT by billygoatgruff
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To: Responsibility2nd

I got proofed at Riverside Park in Agawam , Mass. when I was 40 ...


94 posted on 08/15/2007 2:20:47 PM PDT by sushiman
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To: Abigail Adams

Get him a girlfriend...


95 posted on 08/15/2007 2:20:59 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
Any advice?

A romp in the sack for each time he goes to the gym.

That would work for me.

96 posted on 08/15/2007 2:21:27 PM PDT by toast
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To: Abigail Adams

Advice?

Sadly for men like him (and me) the wake-up call will come in the ER.

When I checked in the ER with a blood pressure of 210/180 (verified by EMS), I came to realize I had better stop screwing up my health.

I’ve been where your husband is. All I can say is keep trying your best to influence him.


97 posted on 08/15/2007 2:21:43 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
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To: BearCub
Dang... "some assembly required", eh? And that's just the stuff that comes in the kit. Engine, avionics and wing-mounted machineguns are all extra. ;-) Makes my classic car restoration hobby look like childs play.

Just try not to enjoy the assembly phase too much. The father of a former girlfriend of mine died before he could finish working on his Citabria. 99% complete, just a few details left - and he never got to fly the damned thing. That just ain't right.

98 posted on 08/15/2007 2:23:19 PM PDT by Charles Martel (The Tree of Liberty thirsts.)
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To: Lazamataz
I think I just believe in the carrot rather than the stick.

Ummm....metaphorically.

99 posted on 08/15/2007 2:23:42 PM PDT by toast
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To: knarf
I had my eye on a RANS S-12 Airaile

My best friend growing up built an S-12. Looks nice but I wanna go fast, high and far. One of his favorite pastimes is chasing animals on the plains east of Denver.

100 posted on 08/15/2007 2:23:44 PM PDT by BearCub
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