What is middle age?

[Miss Chicken]

I just read about a survey conducted in Britain last year. According to the study the average Briton thought that youth ends at 35 and old age begins at 58.

Personally I think that middle age begins sometime between 35-39 and ends in the mid-sixties.

What would your definition be?

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

40's to 50's, when you have a good chunk of adult life behind you but are not yet an "older" person.

 

[Mysterion]

Can't really put a number on it, but trust me when I tell you you'll know it when you get there.

 

[Chaos Descending]

I think "middle age" is a fluid thing. It can start anywhere from about 35 to 45 depending on the person.

I think "middle age" is definitely over by the early to mid-fifties. I don't know if I would say "old age" starts immediately or not, but I think a person who is 55 is too old to be middle aged and too young to be old aged.

 

[Kestra]

I always thought somewhere between 40-60.

 

[Mutai Sho-Rin]

I'm 65 and still identify as middle age. Partly, this is due to being physically fortunate, and also having a good home life and challenging work. Call me old and I'll laugh gently in your face.

 

[Miss Chicken]

I am turning 54 this month and I still middle aged and will be for a few more years IMO.

However I had a neighbour who died at 53 about 2 years ago and I was surprised when I discovered his age. I orginally thought he was at least 10 years older than.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Due to increasing lifespans, the definition of middle age changes from year to year. This year it begins at age 52. Next year it will begin at age 53.

 

[Alrik]

Must admit, this kind of hits a nerve. Turning 45 in a couple of weeks, but really don't see myself as middle age yet. Still way too active, my 8 years younger brother-in-law has much more white in his hair than I do, and I can still pull off the board shorts and flip-flops look during the summer without sending everyone running. On the flip side, I also know that time can be a cruel mistress.

Hmmm. 45=middle age? Reality sucks!

 

[iguana_tonante]

Theoretically, I'd say around 50. Given a "nominal" life of 100 years, 50 feels like a "middle point" to me. Given today's medicine and high standards of living, however, I'm leaning toward 55. 40-45 still feels "young" to me, while 60 feels kinda starting to be "old".

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Why does middle age have to be bad? I consider it the beginning of wisdom.

 

[iguana_tonante]

You sound almost... Cardassian.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Begins roughly 476 AD

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Well why would anyone want to go back to the floundering around and mistakes of previous decades?

 

[Gov Kodos]

I liked some of that floundering around, and the marlins, too.

 

[Alrik]

Why does middle age have to be bad? I consider it the beginning of wisdom.

And that much closer to Senior Discounts.

 

[RoJoHen]

It starts roughly around 35, I'd say, but I'm not sure when it ends. I feel like there should be a category between "middle age" and "old age." By the time you get into your 50s or 60s, it has a lot more to do with your physical health than it does your age. My parents are both 55, but I would say that my mom acts at least 10-15 years "older" than my dad.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Well why would anyone want to go back to the floundering around and mistakes of previous decades?

You are entirely right. I plan to discover and enjoy a series of completely new mistakes!

It starts roughly around 35, I'd say

I'm watching you, man. I'm watching you very carefully.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

So far my life has only improved. I'm looking forward to being OLD someday, hopefully, and embracing my inner Betty White.

 

[Sky]

Youth ends at 35?

My youth ended a month ago and I didn't even notice.