No Fair!

I wanted my red convertible, dammit!

Goodbye, Midlife Crisis?

In 1965, the Canadian psychologist Elliott Jaques coined the term midlife crisis to describe the trauma many individuals in the developed world feel around the age of 35, when they face the imminence of old age and, eventually, death. In the traditional narrative of the crisis, individuals — mostly men — panic and make extreme compensations for this reality: an extra-marital affair, perhaps, or the rash purchase of a Corvette or Harley. But has the concept of the midlife crisis itself grown old and tired? Professor Carlo Strenger, 51, of Tel Aviv University's Department of Psychology thinks so. In a series of articles and studies, he has argued that increasing life expectancy makes the midlife years a time to grow and flourish. He explained his optimism in an interview with TIME.

Hey, I'll have you know I got the Harley when I was 32. HA!

Man, I was so looking forward to buying a shiny red 'Vette convertible in another 5-6 years, too. Guess I'll just have to settle for a Ducati. Seriously, though, it's interesting to see the progression of the so-called "mid-life crisis". Growing up I think we all knew at least one kid whose dad went nuts right around 40 and bought a convertible; it's sort of a rite-of-passage in suburbia that at least one or two of your peers will face growing old with less-than-stunning resolve I guess. Some of us solve that by never growing out of the toy-buying phase (ahem); some live vicariously through their children; precious few handle it with grace.

I was looking forward to an excuse to go out and buy a sports car, though... ;)

That is all.