In today’s world, many people wonder if being in your 60s should be considered middle aged. With rising life expectancies and more active lifestyles among older adults, 60 is not as “old” as it used to be just a generation or two ago.
What is middle age?
Middle age is generally defined as the period between young adulthood and old age. There is no exact scientific or medical definition, but it typically refers to adults between the ages of 40 and 60.
The term “middle aged” originated in the early 20th century. Life expectancies were lower then, so people in their 40s-60s were literally in the middle of their expected lifespan. Today, average life expectancy in developed countries is around 80 years old. This means people in their 60s still potentially have 20+ more years of life left.
Characteristics of middle age
Some common characteristics and experiences associated with middle age include:
- Physical changes from aging like wrinkles, greying hair, less muscle mass, weight gain, eyesight changes, etc.
- Menopause for women
- Increased risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes
- More responsibility at the peak of one’s career and financial earnings
- Marital and family obligations like raising children, caring for aging parents
- Financial stressors like mortgages, college tuition, retirement preparation
- Feeling settled into routines and patterns in life
- Searching for meaning and purpose in the second half of life
Of course, experiences vary greatly depending on health, lifestyle, and circumstances. But in general, middle age is seen as a transitional period marking the shift from youth into one’s senior years.
Is 60 really middle aged today?
Given improved longevity and quality of life, many experts argue that 60 is no longer middle aged in modern society. Here are some key reasons why:
- Life expectancy has increased significantly. A 60 year old today can expect to live around 20 more years, maybe more.
- People are staying active and healthier later in life. Retirement age is rising too.
- Sixty year olds are embracing new experiences and careers rather than “slowing down.”
- More people are delaying typical milestones of middle age like marriage, kids, career growth into their 30s and 40s.
- Beauty standards and media portrayals make people “feel” younger than in past generations.
In the past, moving from middle age into old age signified becoming elderly, inactive, and retiring from public life. This outdated concept no longer applies to many vibrant 60 year olds today. As a result, our understandings and definitions of middle age also require updating.
Pros of considering 60 middle aged
There are also good reasons people still associate 60 with middle age. Some pros include:
- It’s a convenient cutoff between youth and old age. Using decades as milestones gives people a clearer sense of life stages.
- Most people are winding down their careers and families at 60, even if not fully retired yet.
- Physical aging is undeniable by 60, even if less pronounced than generations ago.
- 60s are still statistically near “midlife” on average, though this depends on location.
- Categorizing 60 as middle aged helps set realistic health expectations.
While 60 may feel subjectively young compared to the past, it can serve as a reminder to prioritize healthy lifestyles and preventative care before chronic conditions arise. Viewing 60 as middle aged means taking advantage of this vital transition period.
Cons of considering 60 middle aged
On the other hand, there are also drawbacks to still viewing 60 years old as middle aged. Some cons include:
- It promotes ageist stereotypes about older adults “over the hill” and less capable.
- People may use it as an excuse to act “old” and give up active lifestyles sooner than medically necessary.
- Calling 60 middle aged can seem patronizing or dismissive to adults who feel youthful and vibrant.
- Life stage categorization ignores huge individual variations in health and ability levels.
- It can lead to missed opportunities, less ambition, or premature decisions about retiring based on age rather than personal circumstances.
Labeling a 60 year old as middle aged or elderly can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. On the other hand, recognizing 60 as still part of one’s vibrant adulthood can inspire positive choices.
Is there a definitive answer?
Views vary on whether 60 is still considered squarely middle age or not. There may not be a definitive “right” answer due to a few key factors:
- Subjectivity – Chronological age does not always align with physical health or how “youthful” people feel.
- Generational Differences – Older people who grew up with 60 as middle aged may retain that mindset. Younger generations push back against age stereotypes.
- Geography – Those in areas with lower life expectancy (around 60-70) are more likely to view 60 as elderly.
- Individuality – Life circumstances, not just age, determine people’s capacity and which life stage they identify with.
With rising longevity and less rigid life timelines, considering 60 as a transitional point between midlife and old age may be most appropriate. Using broad age ranges as guides while maintaining flexibility based on each person makes sense going forward.
Is 50 the new 60?
If 60 is not squarely middle age anymore, some propose that 50 is the new 60. Reasons include:
- Average life expectancy is early 80s, so 50 puts people statistically in middle of their lifespan.
- Most people are still working full time and raising families at 50 today.
- 50 year olds still feel vibrant enough to try new pursuits like sports, traveling, or entrepreneurship.
- Healthcare allows people to stay active and healthy into their 60s and beyond.
However, others argue 50 is still young based on longer lifespans. They propose 65 as closer to middle age. Regardless, milestones that once defined midlife like career, family, and physical decline are happening later.
Age distribution in the US
Here is a breakdown of the age distribution in the United States population in 2022, according to Census Bureau estimates:
| Age range | Percent of population |
|---|---|
| Under 18 years | 22.3% |
| 18 to 44 years | 36.5% |
| 45 to 64 years | 25.1% |
| 65 years and over | 16.0% |
This table shows that nearly 60% of the US population is under 45 years old. Only 16% are over 65. Those 45-64 (including 60 year olds) make up about 25% of the population.
Life expectancy at 60 years old
Here are the average life expectancies for 60 year olds across different regions, according to 2021 World Health Organization data:
| Region | Life expectancy at 60 (years) |
|---|---|
| Global | 19.9 |
| Americas | 22.5 |
| Europe | 21.2 |
| Western Pacific | 20.7 |
| Southeast Asia | 18.6 |
| Africa | 16.6 |
This data shows 60 year olds worldwide can expect to live around 20 more years on average. Those in the Americas have the highest life expectancy, averaging 22.5 more years. Even in Africa, 60 year olds typically have over 15 more years left. Global life expectancies have risen steadily, making 60 seem younger than in the past.
Retirement age trends
Here are the full retirement ages for collecting standard Social Security benefits in the United States, according to the Social Security Administration:
| Year of Birth | Full Retirement Age |
|---|---|
| 1943-1954 | 66 years |
| 1955 | 66 years, 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 years, 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 years, 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 years, 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 years, 10 months |
| 1960 or later | 67 years |
This demonstrates how retirement ages are increasing beyond 65 years old for Social Security eligibility. Most developed countries have also raised standard retirement ages to limit pension burdens. This reflects greater longevity and extended healthy work years. Retiring at 60 is increasingly rare nowadays.
Conclusion
Views differ on whether 60 years old should still be considered middle aged. While some argue that higher longevity and healthier lifestyles make 60 seem young, others contend it still represents a transitional point into later life stages.
Categorizing 60 as middle aged encourages people to maximize this vital period through preventative healthcare and active lifestyles. However, it can also promote ageist stereotypes that overlook individual variations in health and ability. Using broader age ranges allows for more flexibility in how we conceive of life stages.
With people delaying traditional milestones and retiring later, a case could be made that 50 is the new 60. But others propose 65 as the start of old age based on rising longevity. Regardless of labels, maintaining a youthful spirit and engaging in meaningful activities are possible at any age.