Midlife Exploration Activity

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.

Dreaming for the Impossible Some mid-lifers go on expecting to become vice president, a millionaire, etc., long after those around them know they won't make it. Those who let go of their impossible dreams often feel a sense of relief. Make sure your expectations are in line with reality because there's nothing you can do about getting older.

Psychologists and sociologists assure us that something is really going on! We do experience midlife transitions. It is not all just merely media hype. After a midlife re-evaluation begins those experiencing it begin to question their priorities and deal with their dreams and aspirations. This helps one realign their goals, set new ones, and make plans for the rest of their lives.

But hey, it's not all bad! Most people experience some sort of mid-life review, and benefit from the experience, so don't panic. Enjoy the longest period of your life adulthood. Take this time to reach into yourself for your inner goals, which will positively affect others around you. This stage in your life is fulfilling with new wisdom and empowerment bringing fresh goals, including a sense of cotentment. So don't lose sight of the positive things in your life! As Karl Jung suggested "the second half of life cannot be lived according to the program of life's morning."