I have a new social theory.
Are you familiar with the adage that the elderly, especially those suffering some form of dementia, are in their second childhood? Well here's a new take on middle age. What we consider middle age in this culture is like a second adolescence.
Consider this:
Adolescence | Middle Age |
Rapidly fluctuating hormones influence behavior and attitude | Hormone balance changes, especially with women going through menopause, and influence behavior and attitude |
Trying to figure out who you are and what you want to do with your life | Mid-life crisis: ditto |
Rebelling against parents; trying to become independent from parents | Parents rebelling against you; parents becoming dependent on you |
A sense that you've got your whole life ahead of you, so go for it! | A sense that at least half your life is over. Retirement is ahead, time and freedom to do what you want, so go for it! While you still can… |
Worrying about the future | Worrying about the future (OK, this one is consistent throughout life) |
There are probably more similarities, but that's what I can think of right now. What do you think? Agree or disagree? Have any characteristics to add?
13 comments:
I would tend to agree. (I'm reminded of a disagreement we had last year when we both stormed off to our rooms & simultaneously slammed our doors).
brill, we are so alike sometimes it's scary.
That was a most excelent comparison/contrast. Of course, that made me wonder... Do I get midlife crisis when this body hits middle age (currently 38) or when the Indigo personality hits middle age (currently 25)? Since I'm not actually human, maybe I won't have to worry about it, heh heh.
Nice post. Very thought-provoking! :)
I think the most salient difference is that those of us in midlife have a much broader range of experience with which to compare our situations.
... And from which to pull various and sundry nameless, unfounded fears and unrealistic expectations. :-/
concolor: therein lies the rub.
Indigo: Your mid-life crisis showed up early. Maybe you'll have a peaceful and enjoyable mid life!
I only have one question about mid-life (as I'm now 44, and will hit 45 this year)... how come when gray hairs come in, they are like coat hanger wire, yet the original colour is like thread? Maybe it'll just keep falling out, and I'll just go to the hairdresser once a month for a polishing.
Vanyel: That's another comparison between adolescence and mid life- the hair! Adolescents grow hair in new places. In middle age you lose hair in some places and grow it either differently or in different spots. Women grow hair where adolescent boys do- the beard and mustache area!
I don't think I can agree or disagree. I wouldn't know, being that my entire existence is an orange alert, or is it lavender alert, or possibly emerald alert? I don't know, its hard to tell what critical stage my life is in from one tragedy to the next.
Hehe, my varification text is (pepios)
vanyel: wait 'til you get guybrows. No one told me about that one.
Here's another one for your chart, java:
Toddler: saying whatever comes into your head without knowledge of consequences.
Old age: saying whatever you want without caring about the consequences. (I can't wait to be an old bat.)
I agree with your analysis, and am currently watching my father (who suffers from Alzheimer's) regress back into rebellious adolescence. He will soon cross that line back into childhood and infancy, where he must depend on others to recognize his needs and provide for them. Perhaps Middle age is the pennacle of the Bell curve, and is the true age of maturation.
In Gay:
Middle Age: Hormones squelched in childhood racing through entire body at breakneck speed. All thoughts of "Ooo, I just wanna take him to the prom and screw around with him" are now replaced by: And I can, and we don't have to be home by 11."
Rebelling against parents = I will do anything that I can to turn out differently from my parents, including dressing like my nephew.
A sense that you've wasted half your life doing something that had nothing to do with what you actually wanted - so GO FOR IT!
A sense that you may die from doing what you love - so GO FOR IT!
Go for it, gurl!
Emerald Eyes: You are still on the first column of the chart honey.
Birdie: So true. When I was much younger I looked forward to being a quirky little old lady. Sometime in my late 20s or early 30s I realized I didn't have to wait to be quirky. So I am. I still do have to watch some of the things I say, of course. :-)
tater: Bless you sweetie. I like the perspective and accompanying wisdom I've gained from all the years I've lived. In some ways I feel I'm still quite young, in others I'm "seasoned."
Gregory: I love how you interpret gay for us. You've got a special perspective and a wonderful sense of humor about it all.
anythingbutsad: ;-)
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