Women between 40 and 50 years old: the new youth

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Life stages are changing and so is social conception. For this and many other reasons, today we want to talk about women aged 40 and 50: their perspectives, their social consideration, their value…

Women between 40 and 50 years old are perhaps the most empowered and flourishing population group. Some are mothers, others are not. Some have a partner, others don’t. Many are at the peak of their professional career, others are beginning a new stage of reformulating goals. A notable part of them are leaders in their companies, inspiring figures of our society…

The truth is that now it is no longer so easy to define this sector of our population that we called “middle-aged women.” In fact, this term has a certain derogatory tone and has become completely obsolete. Because In this second decade of the 21st century, women continue to reformulate themselves.

Middle age is fading to give shape to a new life stage. One marked by great challenges, greater fulfillment and a second youth oriented towards personal fulfillment. The large companies of marketing and advertising know this well, and see these women over 40 as a highly demanding group to address given their social relevance and transcendence.

A good part of women between 40 and 50 years old would not go back or wish they were 25 years old again.

Women over 40 set new personal challenges at this age, feeling more confident, stronger and motivated.

Women between 40 and 50 years old: the age of satisfaction and achievement orientation

When we look at that decade of the forties, the so-called midlife crisis almost always comes to mind. It’s as if at that stage the ground wobbles and we panic. It is true that when we move from one decade to another it is common to reformulate purposes and even rethink our role in life.

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However, in a certain way, we have been carrying existential crises since we were 15 years old. Therefore, reaching that vital meridian does not entail having to deal with a downturn, associated with the need to reformulate dozens of goals and purposes. Currently, Women between 40 and 50 years old are very far from experiencing any crisis because they perceive that they are in the prime of life.

From a sociological point of view, this phenomenon has been attracting the attention of experts for some time. Research work, such as those carried out at Seattle University, for example, highlights something important.

From a scientific and biological point of view, menopause was considered the most relevant factor in the life of middle-aged women. However, this variable is currently unimportant. At this stage, they usually focus on aspects such as rebalancing work, dealing with divorces or separations, managing parents’ old age, and rediscovering themselves.

Many women over 40 do not identify with the terminology that pigeonholes them into “middle age.”

Fulfilled women far from the traps of today’s society

We cannot deceive ourselves. Our society continues to sell us a model of beauty associated with youth and a body with specific measurements. This acts as a real trap for the newer generations. For those adolescents and young adults with fragile self-esteem who allow themselves to be trapped by such distorted and dangerous narratives.

However, Women between 40 and 50 are going against the grain and are no longer influenced by almost anything. They know very well what they want. They break molds and challenge those outdated schemes that dominate fashion and advertising. They feel attractive, they take care of themselves, they look great and they open themselves to a world by breaking down all kinds of labels.

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They feel prepared to take risks

They, these women who are in the prime of their lives, are very aware that today’s world is not kind or easy. They know that they have to compete more for the mere fact of being a woman. In fact, they have been fighting, working, sacrificing and learning for decades. They have reached a high point in their lives in which they accumulate experience, wisdom, security and very few fears.

If we were previously talking about the cliché of the midlife crisis, women between 40 and 50 years old today are very far from experiencing it. Because they are very clear about what they want; also what they don’t want in their lives. And that poise, that self-confidence, is what makes them an empowered generation that is inspiring those in their 20s and 30s.

While it is true that women are especially vulnerable to age discrimination, this may soon change. As they have greater presence and power in our society, many of these prejudices will be broken down.

If a few decades ago we saw women in their 40s and 50s in their role as mothers and wives, now they go beyond that work. They are transforming agents of our society.

Women between 40 and 50 years old, a second youth

It’s true, they’re not twenty years old, but they don’t want to be that age again either.. Each year completed usually grants temperance, knowledge, self-confidence and also fulfillment. Reaching the fourth or fifth decade of life is not a threat, but a privilege. It means enjoying a period in which they feel more capable of working for what they want.

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We could talk about an awakening to a second youth. They are not forties or fifties, they are women with great needs and dreams to fulfill, that combine notable values, resources and psychological strengths. They are a sector of the population that makes its way almost silently, but with force, leaving a trail of enormous social value.