In doing some research I found some interesting articles. I copied parts and included the links\u2026<\/p>\n
The website of The National Association of Social Workers had an article from the book:\u00a0Women at Midlife: Life Experiences and Implications for the Helping Professions:<\/em><\/p>\n then, from Businessweek\u2026<\/p>\n No kidding! Women still have to work, take care of kids, clean house, cook dinner and now we have to take care of our parents AND his!<\/p>\n Then this one I really like: Remember that show with Cybil Sheppard? It was fun and funny! I think she started this new and exciting idea of midlife.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In doing some research I found some interesting articles. I copied parts and included the links\u2026 The website of The National Association of Social Workers had an article from the book:\u00a0Women at Midlife: Life Experiences and Implications for the Helping … Continue reading \n
\n\u2022 Midlife is a time when many women come into their own, feeling grounded,\u00a0\u00a0 independent and satisfied with what they have. In one study cited by the authors, nearly half of women age 51 reported that their lives were \u201cfirst rate,\u201d and they experienced high levels of personal achievement and a new sense of adventure as parenting roles and other duties subsided. In addition, midlife women with greater ego resiliency\u2014the ability to flexibly and resourcefully cope with stressors\u2014were more likely to report life satisfaction, another study found.
\n\u2022 Because midlife women are so diverse, significant in-group differences exist, the authors write. While many midlife women are doing well, certain groups fare worse than others. Midlife is the most tumultuous time of life for low-income African-American women, for example, and midlife women in ill health may have a particularly tough time.
\n\u2022 The so-called \u201cempty nest syndrome,\u201d which describes the depression that supposedly arises when one\u2019s children leave home, is far from inevitable. \u201cMore often than not, the positives of this period of life outweigh the negatives,\u201d the authors write. Studies show that women in their early 50s often feel satisfaction that they\u2019ve successfully raised and launched their children, a new sense of freedom and well-being, and a desire to tap latent talents and abilities.
\n\u2022 Menopause is not a major trauma for many midlife women. In fact, \u201cgiven some exceptions, most women report neutral or positive attitudes about menopause,\u201d the authors write. This is not to minimize the physical changes that accompany menopause; however, research shows that the psychological impact of these signs is culture-bound, the authors note. Educational interventions, for example, can lessen women\u2019s negative feelings about menopause and help them cope better with the transition.
\n\u2022 Work is a psychological balm for most midlife women. Midlife women who are employed report better health, lower anxiety, less depression and greater subjective well-being than women who stay at home, studies find.
\n\u2022 That said, women\u2019s work histories are often erratic because of parenting and caretaking duties. Many women leave work for periods of time, work part-time or take low-paying jobs, for instance.
\n\u2022 As a consequence, midlife women often lack sufficient money, and later, sufficient retirement funds. \u201cWomen who leave paid employment even temporarily to assume caregiving roles often get locked into a lower socioeconomic status for the rest of their lives,\u201d the authors write. Indeed, women represent about 75 percent of the elderly poor, statistics show.
\nThe authors highlight where research findings diverge, and let the chips fall where they may. As one example, some studies show that sexual desire diminishes after menopause, while others find women enjoy sex more after menopause. And even if desire does decrease, other studies show, many women say they don\u2019t mind that fact, the authors write.
\nIndeed, researchers of midlife women have their work cut out for them, the authors say. Most of the data on people at midlife is on white men, and most research on women at midlife is on white, middle-class women.
\nhttp:\/\/www.naswdc.org\/diversity\/women\/032503.asp<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.businessweek.com\/managing\/content\/mar2009\/ca20090327_067541.htm<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.time.com\/time\/magazine\/article\/0,9171,1059032,00.html<\/a><\/p>\n