The Middle Age Is Not Defined By Specific Chronological Age

Introduction Middle-age is not defined by specific chronological age, different people have different understandings about middle-age. According to Byrd and Breuss (1992), elderly New Zealanders (60 years old above) chose age 57 as the onset of middle-age while young people (mostly in their late 10s and early 20s) thought their middle-age was in their 30s. Such a difference existed as young people were yet fully embarked on the adult psychological developmental process, so they had no experience regarding to the changes during middle-age. In the following parts, changes of biological, social and psychological functioning during middle-age will be described and explained, followed by changes in occupational development. Also, KAWA model†¦show more content†¦Secondly, Peterson (1996) stated that menopause occurs in both sexes when they are about 50 years old. Menopause changes women’s physiological functioning due to a gradual low level of estrogen and lead to lower chance of produc ing ova (Peterson, 1996). During that period, many women experienced trouble because of â€Å"hot flushes†, or a feel of sudden blushing. For men, testosterone level slowly decreases after the age of 40 (Huyck, 1974). These changes of biological functioning happen especially in middle-aged persons and menopause are a natural alteration for human beings. Menopause does not define one’s onset of middle-age. Indeed, it is one of the main changes within human body during mid-life. Hence, changes in hormone levels are important while discussing middle-age regarding to physiology. Thirdly, Durkin (1995) stated that indelible marks on physical appearance were shown before getting 50. Greying of hair and wrinkle of skin are not only examples of signs of elderly people, but also marks the beginning of middle-age. Although make up and plastic surgery can be done to cover those signs, it does not mean that physical appearance had not experienced changes. Even though modification of diet and exercise can postpone the moment of having changes on appearance, majority of middle-age people have these problems (Peterson, 1996). Moreover, for sensory organ, one of the most noticeable for middle-age persons is the onset of presbyopia (Glasser Campbell, 1998),