To think that 40s is not 'middle aged'

[Beancounter1]

Here is how my scheme goes:

0-10 childhood
10-19 older childhood and teens
20-29 young adult
30 to 49 - two decades of 'prime' adulthood
50-59 middle aged
60-69 getting older
70-79 old
80+ bonus time

Do you disagree?

It is middle age. You may look good despite being middle aged but it seems silly to insist you're not MA!

One more vote for you are in denial.

I do think though that traditionally middle age is indeed associated with older kids no grandkids yet, and I guess that's happening later in life these days... when you are no longer middle aged.

Sorry!

I'm 38 and I don't feel in my prime. I feel like I need 12 hours sleep a day to survive, and at least a weeks notice before any social occasion.

And 2 days notice to leave the house/get properly dressed.

More seriously though, 45 is middle-aged by most people’s standards, isn’t it? Elderly from 67 onwards, as that’s the retirement age (which is of course very likely to rise).

I agree with this one.

So from the deffinitions on this thread I understand that peri-menopause is an issue for young people?

I think 40s is middle aged. It all went downhill about 45 when perimenopause hit and I aged about 5 yrs in 6m. Couldn’t imagine having to cope with a small child too.

I just don’t think you’re a ‘young adult’ at age 29. I’m younger than that and I have four kids!

I’m also confused by over 80 being ‘bonus time’ (implying you’re not expecting/don’t think it’s expected to live longer) but 40 not being middle aged. If you think 80 is a good age to die then of course 40 is literally the middle!

@Itsoktogiveup
18 yrs cannot be 'prime' - way, way too young. If the phrase young adult seems a bit insulting, then there needs to be another phrase instead. But 'prime' does not start until 30+, when you have more experience and maturity.

@WhiteArsenic
yes, in between 'middle aged' and 'old' I used the clumsy phrase 'getting older', for want of better wording. Why isn't there a commonly used label for these years?

@WeWereInParis
Interesting point of view that 'prime' can coincide with 'middle age'. I always thought middle age meant past your prime but not yet heading into 'old'.

I have always looked and felt younger in my 40s and didn't feel middle aged even though I was. Since turning 50 I definitely feel middle age.

My Dad is turning 70 and I don't think of him as elderly yet.

All of my Grandparents lived till their 80s which is elderly. I had a Great Grandparent live till their 90s.

Who cares? You either die or you get old. Old age is a privilege especially if you remain healthy. My 40s were the most productive of my life. I think there is a bit of a sneer tone about the words middle aged, as if it is all downwards from then on!

It's both middle age and the prime of your life. Great age to be.

It's a very tragic look to be the older person pretending they are young. Is that really what you want to be?

I don’t think you have the designation of middle aged right.

you are assuming it means past your prime, over the hill, good days behind you.

when it simply means at the middle of your life.

I am 44 and and therefore middled aged. I am not young but I am not old. It doesn’t bother me to be middle aged. I will not be middle aged in my fifties because it is highly unlikely I will live beyond 100.

look at is a mathematical term - rather than a judgement.

Definition not designation😂

How can 59 be middle aged unless you live to nearly 120?

If you live to be 81 (average life expectancy UK), then 40 is the middle of your life when middle age starts.
It doesn't need to say anything else about you other than your age.

I’m 40 and have been middle aged for some time 🤣

just to add middle aged to me means in your prime - more confidence, greater earning power, career success, disposable income, freedom.

who wouldn’t want to be middle aged. It’s amazing

I‘ve always thought your 40s was when you have your mid-life crisis so it makes sense that this is middle aged.

I have thoroughly enjoyed both my mid-life crises and think more people should embrace middle age. (note: no spouses were harmed during the making of the mid-life crises; it was more about a different haircut and changing jobs)

This doesn’t apply to me or anyone I know! At 17, I was a spotty, scruffy, untoned mess with a bad haircut and zero confidence. Now, in my early thirties, I look so much better - clear skin, long highlighted hair, toned, groomed (eyebrows, nails), better teeth, and better posture from being infinitely more confident.
Who on earth peaks at 17?!

(Yes, I’m aware this is a wanky post but this is my and all my female friends’ experience.)

It's just that 40's still seems too young to be middle aged - many mums still have children in school in their 40s,

So? Where does it say that people with school-aged kids can't be middle-aged? Of course they can. If the phrase middle-aged has a definition, surely it's that yiu are about in the middle of a normal lifespan. And 40 definitely is that, however in denial some people might be about being middle-aged!

This. Since the average life expectancy is around 80 to me once you hit 40 it's middle aged. I don't know too many people that live beyond 80 so I always see as late 30s to 40 the start of middle aged.

Nah, you are not still 'young' up to the age of 45. You need to split this 20-45 band in two.
Happy to accept 45+ as middle aged, even up to 59, but 60+ is definitely past middle aged.

I like your labelling of 'older' as distinct from 'elderly'.

I just clump it in groups of 20 years
0-20 - childhood
20-40- younger adult
40-60- middle adult
60-80- older adult
80-+ - elderhood

Exactly