mjmooney Posted September 18, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted September 18, 2012 Middle age begins at 55 years, survey suggests Middle age starts much later than previously thought - at the age of 55, research suggests. And Britons do not see themselves as elderly until they are nudging 70, the survey of 1,000 UK adults aged 50-plus for the Love to Learn online learning website says. Previous studies have pinpointed the start of middle age as early as 36. The research suggests that as the population ages, new cut-off points are being drawn. According to official national data, there are now more adults over 65 than there are under-16s. Although seven out of 10 early 50-somethings quizzed for the survey defined themselves as middle-aged, the average age at which the period of life was perceived to start was 54 years and 347 days old. However, a sizeable minority, nearly one in five, thought middle age did not begin until after the age of 60. But almost one in five (19%) said that being middle age is a state of mind, rather than something that begins at a certain age. The research also asked the panel at what age they thought middle age ends. The average came in at 69 years and 277 days. This suggests middle age itself now spans 14 years and goes well beyond the government's planned state pension age of 66. Recent research from charity Age UK, looking at how Europeans categorise themselves, found the average age at which old age is perceived to start is 62. But there was less consensus on when youth ended, ranging from 34 in Sweden to 52 in Greece, with an average of 40. However the Love to Learn research also found that adults in their 50s were upbeat about the benefits of their age group. Gill Jackson, director of new online course provider Love to Learn, said: "More than half said they have more confidence and experience than younger people and are less afraid of making mistakes." John Craven, who is supporting the website's launch, said the concept of ageing had changed: "Only a generation ago, many people were pretty old at 60. "These days most of us in our middle and later years are much younger in our attitudes and it's all about having an active state of mind." But some older people still appear to be haunted about by obstacles from their past, such as failing the 11-plus school entrance exams. Decades after the event, nearly half of those who did not pass the grammar school entry test said it brought back negative emotions. And one in five said it had put them off learning permanently. BBC So, what do you think? Careful, now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Middle age begins at 55 years Previous studies have pinpointed the start of middle age as early as 36. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFCforever1991 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Agree. Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xela Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 I'd say around 40? If you aren't middle aged until 55, what are you when you are 50? Young? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted September 18, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted September 18, 2012 I honestly think I've already had some sort of midlife crisis. And I'm only 26. I blame it on hair loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyh29 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Surely it depends what age you are when you die I'm going to die knee deep in clunge in a Thai brothel when I'm 98 so middle age for me will be 49 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmooney Posted September 18, 2012 Author VT Supporter Share Posted September 18, 2012 I'm not going to die, so I can never reach middle age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjw63 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 I'm not going to die, so I can never reach middle age. This! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leemond2008 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 I'm 27 and have a feeling I've already hit and probably passed middle age :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eames Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Surely it depends what age you are when you die I'm going to die knee deep in clunge in a Thai brothel when I'm 98 so middle age for me will be 49 This. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Best news I've heard in a while, I'm still a young man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villadude Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 I'm going to die knee deep in clunge in a Thai brothel when I'm 98 so middle age for me will be 49 Gimme a shout Tone, I'll join ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villaajax Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Everyone at work thinks I'm far older than I actually am... I'm 22! :| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyShears Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Middle age is when you need to sit down to put your socks on, old age is when you need to sit down to put your pants on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Designer1 Posted September 18, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted September 18, 2012 It's all about your state of mind. Er...Man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapal_fan Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Everyone at work thinks I'm far older than I actually am... I'm 22! :| You should show them your bedroom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leviramsey Posted September 18, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted September 18, 2012 This thread is just medieval. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troon_villan Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 Between 40 and 50 for me but I guess it's not set in stone. They say you're only as old as the woman you feel, unfortunately I have a penchant for MILFs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponky Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 When you get to the point where modern music is shit, kids today have no respect and hairstyles & fashion are downright laughable then you have hit middle age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFCforever1991 Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 Kind of hoping that there is some huge breakthrough in Science that will allow me to live forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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