MIDLIFE EXPLORATION ACTIVITY

SOCIOLOGY
MR. SCHEEL

Having a Mid-Life Crisis?

Is there such a thing?
What is it?
What causes it?
What can you do about it?
Is it a "good" thing?

By Alison Vipperman & Rachel Peyton

Each year millions of baby boomers turn 40. This

transition signals the beginning of a time of introspection
and re-evaluation. Millions of people go through this
"midlife transition." The question that we want to
answer is why does this happen and in what ways does it
effect people?

The group of individuals known as the "baby boomers" are putting the concept of
mid-life crisis on the map. These people were born in the late 40's to the early 50's.
They lived in their new houses, which were built in new neighborhoods. They were
living in the new American communities known as suburbs. They started school, sat
at new desks and were taught by teachers fresh out of college. They grew up
watching television and lived in a world with much promise. In the late 60's they
graduated from high school and enrolled in college in record numbers. They landed
good jobs with good salaries in a still expanding economy. They bought homes
before housing prices and interest rates went through the roof. Unlike the baby
boomers before them, they had achieved "the American dream." After a degree of
financial success, they began to encounter a crisis. Am I doing all that I can achieve?
They then begin to question the value of their own life.

Mid-life crisis can be called different things such as 'change of life' or 'the empty
nest syndrome'. For women, menapause may be associated with a mid-life crisis.
Men may experience similar feelings as they become aware of their aging bodies.
The empty nest syndrome occurs when the children leave home. Some parents don't
know what to do with themselves after they're gone.

There are many things that can trigger a mid-life crisis, including a death, divorce,
serious illness, relationship breakup, a new job, or just not being content with where
you are in your life and what you've accomplished up to this point. Society's view of
old age isn't real comforting when a person is confronted with aging. Social
pressures climax for both men and women. As middle aged adults continue to do the
balancing act between family and work, plus sometimes caring for aging parents
that need thier support, it can take a toll. Many times divorce, affairs, depression,
decreasing levels of energy can all take place.

FEELINGS THAT CAN OCCUR

Personal failure

Need for more novelty and affection

Fears/worries about the future

A sense of urgency

Inability to enjoy leisure time (what to do)

Health is deteriorating

Negative evaluation of the marital relationship

Fantasy vs. Reality

Often a type of transition that is experienced is a "life is meaningless" type of crisis.
This is experienced by those with unrealistic goals and fantasies often occurring in
healthy people with good jobs.