I believe it used to be considered anything from about 35-55, although the media and advertising constantly tries to push the bracket higher. I've seen attempts to label the entire 60s decade as middle-aged, and to describe one's 40s as "young." Frankly, I don't consider the term a pejorative, although I understand many folk do. We worship youth, in the West, and despise full adulthood.
My view hasn't changed much, over time, regarding the age bracket. It has changed, regarding attributes of it. When I was young, I was appalled at the thought of ever being middle-aged. At least old age had some dignity to it. These days? I'm appalled at how stupid and naive I was, when young, and regret that, in middle-age, I didn't understand so extensively nor deeply as I do now. I expect that, in my 70s or 80s, assuming I live that long, I'll look back at my present age and think something similar.
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I believe it used to be considered anything from about 35-55, although the media and advertising constantly tries to push the bracket higher. I've seen attempts to label the entire 60s decade as middle-aged, and to describe one's 40s as "young." Frankly, I don't consider the term a pejorative, although I understand many folk do. We worship youth, in the West, and despise full adulthood.
My view hasn't changed much, over time, regarding the age bracket. It has changed, regarding attributes of it. When I was young, I was appalled at the thought of ever being middle-aged. At least old age had some dignity to it. These days? I'm appalled at how stupid and naive I was, when young, and regret that, in middle-age, I didn't understand so extensively nor deeply as I do now. I expect that, in my 70s or 80s, assuming I live that long, I'll look back at my present age and think something similar.