The Negative and the Positive
In terms of problems' the middle-aged person worries over the delinquencies of youth, the insecurities of old age, and the devastations of disease and war.It matters a lot in wellness. He or she is concerned with the decay of democracy, with holding down his job, and with balancing budgets. One of the costs to the middle-aged person in terms of energy is exacted by his or her community responsibilities, in which one can contribute much in the way of skills and wisdom. However, for many people who have reached their limits on the job, community activities provide, for lateral growth, which partly satisfies the drive to attain success.
Caught in the period between being "still young" and "already old," the middle-ager shoulders psychological burdens which are often kept hidden. To talk too openly about them would possibly lower the person's status, even if he or she could get anyone to listen.
Guilt feelings of failure are typical of the middle-ager. We feel we have not advanced far enough in our job or profession. We are concerned that we have not made adequate economic provision for our family in the event that something happens to us. The middleaged person feels that the doors of opportunity are closing fast. He or she is concerned about status when noting the high divorce rate among peers. In much the same way that the adolescent magnifies his problems, so does the person in middle age.
But there is a positive side to middle age. Certain hazards of life have passed; for example, there is more tenure on the job for those who planned ahead. These people are also in positions of dignity and power. They have more knowledge, skill, and wisdom than they had in youth. Anxieties have decreased. Now one can get more satisfaction from the "simple life." Marital companionship may be closer than ever if the couple can survive the biological and psychological changes that take place during middle age.
