Question

As I mentioned in this week's screencast, the idea of an earth-shattering "midlife crisis" seems really popular in mass media, but is not given much attention by life span theorists. Based on what you see in the real world, what's your informed opinion—do you think that many people experience a true "midlife crisis?" At what age(s) do you think they may be most likely to experience a crisis? Why?

Answer 1

Based on my observation, I do not believe that people in the real world experience a true “midlife crisis”. Middle aged adults are likely to face several stressful events owing to declining physical health, deaths of loved ones, career setbacks, relationship failures and the like, which cumulatively produce a crisis-like effect. Both women and men often experience multiple stressors because of their simultaneous roles as wives/husbands, mothers/fathers, employees, daughters/sons. As parents, middle aged individuals may also find extra time on their hands as this is the period when their children leave home. This allows them time for reflection that highlight a person's growing age, inevitable mortality, and possibly shortcomings of accomplishments in life.