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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think 60 is old aged

430 replies

Goodtimes80 · 07/04/2015 17:14

And 35 Middle aged?

OP posts:
BestZebbie · 08/04/2015 00:29

I disagree with the majority - I'd say 0-29 is young, 30-59 is middle aged and 60 onwards is elderly (with the implication that a reasonable female lifespan is about 90 years).

However, I don't think that these labels have a strict set of limitations to go with each - I was perfectly responsible at 22, I hope I am not boring now at 33 and I don't intend to be senile at 65. :D

ilovesooty · 08/04/2015 00:32

How can 60 onwards be elderly if there is an expectation that people work until their late 60s?

Bogeyface · 08/04/2015 00:33

Somebody is desperate for an article.....

emmelinelucas · 08/04/2015 00:41

we're going to be in the Daily Fail again !

BestZebbie · 08/04/2015 00:44

ilovesooty - umm, because people work for part of the time in which they are elderly (as well as part of the time in which they are young)?
As the second paragraph notes, 'elderly' isn't the same as 'incapable' or 'senile' or 'frail' etc.

BigChocFrenzy · 08/04/2015 00:45

You are old at any chronological age, if you cannot increase your knowledge, capabilities or experiences, old if you will not consider a new viewpoint.

You are old if you cling to the rock of outdated prejudices [stares hard at OP]

Pagwatch · 08/04/2015 00:49

A stupid op written by a poster too stupid to construct any further comment.

DiamondDoris · 08/04/2015 00:50

Has GoodTimes80 come back with their counter arguments yet? Aren't we past these nonsensical labels? We age, fair enough, but we're like onions with outer layers but there are still the fresher layers of onion beneath (terrible analogy), does that make sense or am I drunk? I really think it's a state of mind but then again, as I said earlier, these terms are fairly out of date and promote ageism.

goingmadinthecountry · 08/04/2015 02:22

I'll accept I'm middle aged (whatever that means) but not old. Dad is nearly 87 and his partner 89. They share their time between 2 countries, travelling by Eurostar they book by i pad and crossing Paris either alone or together with luggage. Luckily their minds are intact and they talk in a mix of English and French, dad doing bits of paid work from time to time. Dad's hair is still not very grey. They are old but making the most of it. At 51 I feel I have lots still left to do. I definitely don't feel old (my hair isn't grey either) and will be working for a good while yet - mortgage all done but uni costs to support.

XLIX · 08/04/2015 02:38

Well damn, I didn't have my first baby until I was 32.. I had my third baby at 42..practically in the grave by the OP's reckoning! I am in better shape now and take better care of myself then I did in my twenties. I think it helps to have good sex and good things to eat and read.

Solo · 08/04/2015 03:14

So if 45-50 Middle aged and 60-70 is old, what are the 50-60 age group called?

Scotinoz · 08/04/2015 03:39

Are you sh*tting me? 35 is middle aged?! Or even 30 as someone suggested?!

I suppose it probably depends in how old you are, and you're perspective on life...

I'm 36 and a bit. I don't think I'm middle aged. I don't think you can be classed as middle aged when you're pregnant and have a toddler Confused

Snog · 08/04/2015 07:22

Middle age is the middle years of our life.
I find it weird that people seek to deny being in their middle years of life when they clearly are!
Embrace your age whatever it may be.

Mehitabel6 · 08/04/2015 07:35

I really don't care if you think it is pathetic ApplePaltrow - I shall continue to grow old disgracefully and not embrace age to fit in with your narrow conception of it.
I took up running aged 59 and started on half marathons. I shall be backpacking with a 100 mile walk this year, as I did last year. I can still ski and intend to carry on for some years yet.
I hope to be like an 83 yr old I know who camped up a mountain last summer solstice to see the sun come up.
Age is just a number as long as you are healthy. You don't have to pay any attention to it.
My mother is now over 90 yrs and she is frail and elderly, but she wasn't up to about 7 yrs ago.
I am in much better shape now than when I was the so called middle aged and pregnant with a toddler. ( and that was if you call 80yrs old)
I know that I could easily run 8 miles this morning if I wanted to. I don't think all the young on here could do that!

Latara · 08/04/2015 07:38

OP never came back... what a goady start to a thread.

I have patients in their 60s who are sadly at the end of their lives - and patients in their 90s who are lively & sprightly. It really depends on the person.

I think it's tragic when someone only in their 60s dies.

YawnyMcYawn · 08/04/2015 07:47

Numbers aside, it's sad that we live in a society where being thought to be middle aged or old is so terrible.

engeika · 08/04/2015 07:50

What is the point of this thread except to "gather" some "data" for a bit of pseudo research?

Sexist and ageist.

Latara · 08/04/2015 07:51

I personally think that old age & middle age are a state of mind - I have a 39 year old friend who has seemed middle aged since she was about 25! But now she has her first baby she seems younger all of a sudden.

Having children later in life seems to put off middle age; and working later into your 60s / 70s as I know many people do seems to put off old age.
My friends' parents who are retired seem much 'older' in their mindset than my parents & colleagues who are still working.

Also health has a lot to do with how 'old' you feel. I am quite unfit & on lots of meds so get tired quickly & feel 'old' sometimes despite looking quite young for my age. Once I start back at the gym & lose weight I will feel younger again hopefully.

And your social life can make you feel younger - I have a 50 yr old colleague whose social life I envy.

WilburIsSomePig · 08/04/2015 07:51

stupid fucking baby boomers - there's no need for this kind of shitty comment, it's just nasty.

I'm 48 and yep I'm middle aged. Oh and I don't care.

I do find it ridiculous to call someone middle aged at 35, I hadn't had either of my children then.

ReallyTired · 08/04/2015 07:53

How old is the OP? My five year old is convinced that 22 years old is utterly ancient. Her plan is to have babies at 15 and retire at 25.

Anyway age is merely a number. You are as old as you feel. IMHO life begins at 40!

DixieNormas · 08/04/2015 07:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Floisme · 08/04/2015 07:59

My mum wasn't climbing mountains in her 90s. She was frail and forgetful which is it will be for most of us. She was still a person.

As for 40/50+ year olds denying they're middle aged.... I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

AggressiveBunting · 08/04/2015 08:00

You're not though. You're as old as you are, and being c.75 or over makes you old by human standards. You can be a 99 yr old 4 hr marathoner and you're still old- impressive but old. Condition's got nothing to do with anything.

Snottybiyatch · 08/04/2015 08:02

When I was a teenager, middle-age began at 30. (It's not called "the big 3-O" for nothing.) 50 was past it and 60 was old.

Erm newsflash...EVERY zero birthday after 20 is referred to as the big something -0 so I am afraid your scientific analysis of when middle age starts rather falls down on this point.

It's been said before, age is just a number: you can call me what the hell you like (I'm just about 60) but my experience is that this age is just SOOOOOOO much better than 20-50 and I wouldn't go back there for quids. That doesn't prove anything either!

Duckdeamon · 08/04/2015 08:17

It all depends on health. My DM was in serious chronic pain from her early 40s and in her early 60s and has other health problems too. She is badly limited in what she can do and is regularly treated as much older, often people being quite patronising.

On the upside she has fantastic skin with no wrinkles and in her head is about 38!