Mapping midlife: An examination of social factors shaping conceptions of the timing of middle age

Few studies examine social factors shaping our conceptions of the life course, particularly the boundaries of life stages. The existing literature tends to focus on either young adulthood or old age, primarily relying on cross-sectional data. Using two waves of data from Midlife in the United States (1995–1996 and 2004–2006), we examine how three sets of factors – locations in systems of inequality, health, and family roles – shape conceptualizations of when middle age begins and ends. Although varying for cross-sectional versus longitudinal analyses, for views of the start versus end of middle age, and for women's versus men's lives, we find evidence that conceptions of a more compressed life course, as indicated by earlier timing of middle age, are associated with younger chronological ages, older identities, being male or non-white, lower levels of education or income, worse health, earlier transitions to parenthood, becoming divorced, and not having living parent(s). Future work should examine explanations for these patterns and their implications for individuals’ experiences of aging.

► We examine how social locations, health, and family ties shape views of midlife timing.
► Social locations exert the strongest effects.
► Men, non-whites, and low SES individuals view an earlier midlife.
► Younger ages, but older identities, are related to viewing an earlier midlife.
► It also is related to poor health, divorce, early parenthood, and deceased parents.