to think that 35 is not middle-aged

[vic77en]

My colleague yesterday referred to someone as middle-aged. When I said they weren't middle aged, were maybe early-mid thirties, he said that 35 was middle-aged.

I guess technically it's half of the "3 score years and 10" but FFS life expectancy for a woman is 80-something, no?

I am 34 and do not feel ready to be middle-aged for at least another 10 years.

So when do you think "middle-age" starts?

35 year olds are proper adults; not silly kids, not middle aged; it's the prime of life apparently. Time society started celebrating actual maturity instead of writing people off as soon as they get over puberty. FGS.

It's still young afaic

I think middle age, at least for people with kids, is people whose kids are getting older - eg 10, 11 or in secondary school.

I find it hard to think of parents of toddlers as middle aged. Even though we are 41 and 36, we can't be middle aged as we have a 2 year old DD and another DC on the way. Middle age implies a slowing down of the pace of life doesn't it?, and regardless of age there is no slowing down with little kids.

I will consider myself middle aged at 45, when DD is 10 and baby is 8.

I'm 34 this year. It is so not middle aged. Isn't 40 the new 30, or something?

I agree with Geocentric's definition!

Because I remember school like it was yesterday, I still feel relatively 'young'! Then I realise I left over 24 years ago! Time just goes faster when you are older!

Oh yes, agree with those who have said it's a frame of mind. I remember describing my step-brother as middle-aged when he must have been all of 27.

He definitely was middle-aged then

My definition of "middle aged" used to be "older than my parents" as they were always very young and gallivanted all around the world on cycling trips (having taken early retirement )

.... however, once they got into their 60s, I was pushing the defnition somewhat (and then my mum fell off her bike and got a head injury that catapulted her into old age :()

I remember being shocked at an article about some Oxbridge graduates which described them as "approaching middle-age", meaning 40 - 'cos I was 2 years younger at the time. I complained to my best friend (who we were visiting) and she told me, "As a GP, I have to say they're right. I'm sorry , but you are pyhsiologically approaching middle age" :(

.... it doesn't stop you resisting it though!

I'll be 50 in 2 weeks time and I'll maybe accept it now - if only because I am now having to use reading glasses in poor light :(

Divide you life into thirds not into two

Technically I'm afraid you will be defined by the number of years you have attained, not how hip you dress or act

We probably need to re-name/re=brand the middle-age and give it some positive PR.
I am definitely not a youth anymore, but like most do not view myself as middle-aged (approaching 40)
We need to embrace this time in our lives, we are not old, but we are not callow youths either

Bumpsadaisie "I think middle age, at least for people with kids, is people whose kids are getting older - eg 10, 11 or in secondary school."

I'm 39, my DC are 16 and 18. I'm definitely not middle aged

Denial abounding [evil laugh]

Middle age is like middle earth, all in your mind. If you think yourself middle aged, you'll act middle aged. I'm aiming to never do either.

According to my dad (approching 77) middle age is always 10 years older than your current agr, so it's 86.

I am approaching 37 and am in no way middle aged.

I don't think all 'ages' have to be in equal chunks. Life doesn't have to be defined by quarters or whatever.

Personally, I think middle-aged is quite a short period of time - 50-65, after which you become a 'senior citizen'. I don't think you are elderly until you are at least 80. Elderly suggests 'frail' to be and I know lots of my mums friends in their late sixties and early seventies who are anything but!

I am 38y. Can't see I feel particularly middle aged just yet.

It's not a very positive term really is it ?

I think the whole idea is a bit old-fashioned.

In the 60's my partner's grannies, and even his parents, looked pretty middle-aged, in their old cine films.

Nowadays some people can be really old without ever adopting that middle-aged mind set !

Yes, You are as young as you feel !

( Not always that young in my case, some mornings )

Let's just refuse to use the term middle-aged at all, since it is just not sexy. Surely we can think of a better label between us?! Vintage, maybe?!!

Whichever way you cut it and however youthful and vigorous you feel, 35 is not 'young'. Embrace maturity.... :)

35 is young. You take that back.

I don't want to be old!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm off for a sit down and a cup of tea

I am 44 and I don't feel middle aged even though I probably am in years. I reckon 30 to 50 is your prime, when you are finally a proper adult but you haven't yet started aging in a negative way - you can still do anything you want to and bits of you haven't started going wrong or dropping off.

50 to 75ish is middle aged. My mother and MIL are both 71 in the next month and no way are they elderly. On the other hand FIL has a back problem and arthritis and even though he is coming up for 73 seems a lot older than MIL and he had definitely entered old age. I also reckon retirement age will probably be about 75 by the time I get there too so it seems a good an age as any to be called old.

Of course personality has a effect on individuals too. Some people are younger for longer and some have middle aged attitudes much earlier but as an average no way is 35 middle aged - you have only just entered adulthood at 35!

I'm 37 and according to my kids, I am OLD!

Being middle aged is rather like being unreasonable, or stupid, or a chav, or a bad driver, or weird, or boring, isn't it? Something other people are but never yourself. It's an irregular adjective.

I am in my prime
You are mature
He/she is middle-aged
They are fogies

Cosmosis - your dad is spot-on!

I'm 44, and I have been 10 years away from middle-age for as long as I can remember.

It does start to get a bit scary when the old menopause begins to kick in. I noticed Edinburgh Woollen Mill had some nice stuff in recently....

Niceguy2 - You have very unkind children.

My two think I am young at 44 although to be fair DH is old to them and he is 'only' 46. Maybe men get to middle age quicker?