Jul 27
Middle ageism
Cats: banned words, slack woman|A generation ago middle age was anywhere between 30-45. Now, the on-line dictionaries put it somewhere between 40-65.
That’s quite a leap considering the average life expectancy hasn’t changed in that generation.If you put a literal interpretation on today’s definition of middle age, that would mean our average life expectancy would be 80-130.
So what gives? Why has middle age become a Phase that Cannot Be Called Middle Age?
And what are the new words that have sprung up to replace it? Go here for the rest of the story.
July 27th, 2007 at 1:58 am
I’m 48, and I don’t think I’ve yet to think of myself as middle-aged. I just can’t say it. I just say I’m fortysomething.
And happy belated birthday.
July 27th, 2007 at 2:07 am
Ahhh, ‘the age that hath no name!’ All a bit presumptuous considering that every day could be your last … actually every minute or seco …….
July 27th, 2007 at 3:52 am
“Mature adult” usually springs to mind as a term widely used. I have never considered myself at a middle-aged point, although I’m high-40′s. Our third YA just turned 13 and, although I’ve been feeling it coming on for a couple of years now, suddenly I’m starting to feel really energetic again (or that could be my iron supp)! I have acquaintances who are already grandparents and they sure act like it. Suddenly they’re talking about being OLD!! OMG, stay away from me!
July 27th, 2007 at 5:42 am
Yam,
Ugh! MAture adult, so euphemistic. I’d rather be middle aged.
Beth, cheers. Just for the record, I don’t think of you as middle aged either.
July 27th, 2007 at 6:32 am
Dear “Person of a Certain Age”:
Happy birthday, GT!
I’m of a “certain age” as well, and old enough to say “age doesn’t matter.” Of course, ALL people of a “certain age” say that to make a “certain age” tolerable.
I hope you enjoyed the day!
July 27th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Perhaps a better term in my case would be denial, dunno. Happy belated by the way GT, hope at some point there was bourbon in hand
July 27th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
I just think of myself as in my “teen raising years” that phrase is ageless – it could apply to a 33 or to a 51 year old (I am somewhere in between)(closer to the younger end)(OK I’m 38)
July 27th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
awhhh. you’re just a babe h n p.
July 28th, 2007 at 7:37 am
“It isn’t how old you are, it’s how old you feel”(Unattributable quote).
There is some truth to that, but that’s from one’s own perspective. At some point the youth will see you as old. At some point flirting will get me labeled as a dirty old man.
It’s good to not think you are old, but don’t kid yourself you are old to them. Hell, when I was in grade 8 I thought the grade 12′s were old!
October 31st, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I think part of it is that Middle Age has a negative connotation, it’s pejorative, and it suggests something no one wants to think about. That is, your life is half over and you’re done, and there’s no more possibility. Who wants that? I don’t. I’m 44 going on 45, what you would call middle aged, but I hate the term and all it implies. I just want to live life and not think in fatalistic terms just because I’m “getting up there”
I have my whole life ahead of me, and I want to live it. Dwelling on being middle aged, and what I can or cannot do, or shouldn’t do is quite frankly depressing. I probably have 30, 40, or 50 years or more a head of me. My 26-year-old counterpart could get hit by a car tomorrow, and she’s not getting any younger either. I’m not saying one should live in denial about how old they are. Obviously at a certain age you need to take better care of yourself health wise, and be a card carrying adult and handle your business. But why should you place limits on your life by constantly using a phrase that in and of itself is limiting? Face it, when we talk about middle age we’re talking about loss and regret and all that. Don’t you have a life to live? I do.