The Midlife Crisis

The actual age at which midlife begins is somewhat disputed. The range of ages runs from 30 to 60, and may change with differences in gender, race, attitude, health, and psychological makeup (Costa, 1986; Schlossberg, 1986). Moreover, as early as 1979 Fiske (1979, p.23) proclaimed that "middle age is a state of mind."

One of the clearest contradictions within both the popular and academic literature is whether middle age is a peak period of life or the "typical" remark that after forty life begins its downward slide. For example, many people opt to change careers at midlife, some because their own selfesteem has waned, others because they find that they are not longer perceived as integral members of their workplace (Ochberg, 1988). Other research shows a burgeoning problem in which labor a

. . .
t of mental stimulation plays a significant role in mental aging (Hertzog and Schaie, 1988). Research further suggests that women and men are apt to have different psychological attitudes about middle age, primarily due to societal pressures. For instance, men may be considered "mature" during middle age, while women are considered "over the hill." Men may also feel sexually inadequate yet women often have a renewed sense of sexual energy (Stoner and Spencer, 1987; Roberts and Newton, 1987; Rollins and Cannon, 1974). The gender differences in middle age may be further complicated after children leave the home, with some adults finding that their common marital bond disappears. Other stresses within the workplace may also contribute to a dissatisfaction, often focused on the marital partner. Arnold and McKenry (1986) found that a majority of couples indicated that the salience of a midlife crisis was a powerful factor in their decision to divorce. Further, these subjects were quite likely to perceive their spouse's midlife crisis as a cause for conflict rather than their own anxieties. Others find that as men age their ability to cope with conflict situations decreases. Thus, they are more likely to opt for separation or
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
, Rozelle Baxter, Lerner Turbman, Lamb Reeder, Arnold McKenry, Betz O'Connell, Schaie Willis, Hertzog Schaie, Feifel Strack, Rollins Cannon, middle age, middle aged, psychology aging, journal personality, private practice, midlife crisis, adult development, mental health, research aging, coche coche 1986, schlossberg 1986, roberts newton 1987, journal personality 57, research aging 11, feifel strack 1989,
Approximate Word count = 1532
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

More Essays on The Midlife Crisis