Common Belief

A common belief about midlife is that middle-aged people may go through an identity crisis, in intensity comparable to what adolescents go through in puberty. Suddenly, people in their forties would begin to doubt whether this is all life has to offer them, and the only solution seems to be a radical change in lifestyle, which is expected to solve all problems in a single punch.

This scenario is based on the idea that the period in the middle of adulthood brings with itself a lot of stress and resembles a second adolescence. Another idea that contributed was the ‘empty nest’ suggestion, the situation where the parents would be confronted with when the children leave home.

A Misconception

Empirical data, however, have not been able to corroborate the midlife crisis. It turns out that most people feel good about the upbringing of their children when they leave home, and welcome the opportunity to relax and travel. On top of this, the increase in privacy often leads to a more spontaneous intimacy with their partner. This compensates the worries they might feel for their children. There is also a sense of pride that their children are beginning to build their own life.

Besides, the caring for others does not stop when the kids leave home. Parents are often very involved in the care for their children’s children, contributing in the upbringing of the next generation. Another form of care occurs when their elderly parents need help. Even though elderly care has improved in the last decades, most of it is still being done by the family.

Direct Data

Even when people are directly asked whether they feel good or not, no midlife crisis can be detected. The results look either like a flat curve (meaning the feeling of well-being doesn’t change that much over the years), or even a slightly positive one. Many people consider the period between, 55 and 70 years of age to be one of the best of their lives, where they can enjoy what they’ve accomplished and can pursue opportunities in relatively good health.

People in this age group often travel more, indulge in new interests or rekindle old ones and often find themselves at the top of their career.

References

• Diener, E.; Suh, E.M.; Lucas, R.E. & Smith, H.L. (1999). Subjective well-being: Three decades of progress. Psychological Bulletin. 125, 276 – 302.
• Freund, A.M. & Ritter, J.O. (2009). Midlife Crisis: A Debate. Gerontology. 55(5), pp. 582 – 591.