Written by Last week, we talked about how women experience changes in their lives. The struggles that Middle-Aged women go through during their growth are an untouched topic. There are various stages of change in a growing woman. The biggest transition occurs in the Middle-Age phase. Middle age is often referred to as a bridge between youth and old age. A stage where 2 personalities coincide, bodies transform and the mind is on high alert about the newly coming transformations. For women, this period is typically defined as the years between 40 and 60. Imagine being a mother who has spent all her life looking out for the family and is now feeling isolated as the children have grown up and have to work as it is their time to strive. In this case, these feeling of isolation is heightened by menopause and other factors. In this blog, we will be discussing all such issues that these strong women experience in middle age in detail so we can help understand them better and empathize with their feelings.
Emotions all over the place with Menopause
Menopause typically occurs after the age of 40. In simple words, menopause is a process where the ovaries stop producing eggs. Due to this biological halt, hormone levels decrease. As hormones are responsible for regulating emotions in our bodies, their sudden decrease results in emotional distress, mood swings, weight gain, and sleep disturbances. On top of this biological outburst, many women go through a transition in life. Middle age coincides with children leaving home for college or careers.
While this is a natural phenomenon, women can feel lost and purposeless. After years of comforting, nurturing, teaching, and scolding a child becomes capable of taking an independent step toward their own life and when the child is finally ready a mother may naturally feel lost without the child. This phenomenon is termed “empty nest syndrome” This sudden change in their daily routine leads to a feeling of loneliness which is never really addressed. Naturally obliged to be selfless the middle-aged woman does not think of it as important of an issue to be addressed. But we should know and notice this and lend an ear sometimes. Middle Age is a stage where women often question their own life choices if they have lived up to their potential. Balancing the roles of mother, partner, professional, and individual can create a sense of overwhelm. As a woman feels torn between fulfilling societal expectations and pursuing personal dreams. Always looking out for others, the woman forgets of her aspirations.
The Physical Transformation.
Physical changes that Middle-Aged women experience are inevitable and distressing, especially in a society that considers the perfect face, skin color, and hourglass body shape as a beauty standard. Menopause brings with it a host of physical symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, and joint pain. These symptoms disrupt their daily routine paired up with the societal pressure of “keeping it together”. No matter what goes inside the body, women are expected to be calm and composed and undertake their routine professional or household tasks smoothly. This is an unseen pressure from societal standards where issues like menopause have not been discussed enough. Many individuals fail to even know about it.
Biologically, aging women experience weight gain due to gradual metabolism, hormonal changes, and a decrease in physical activity. This affects their self-esteem, especially in a culture that glorifies slum, youthful figures. With age women face an increased risk of health issue such as osteoporosis, heart disease and breast cancer. Regular health check-ups and preventive care become crucial, but many women neglect their own health due to caregiving responsibilities or financial constraints.
Professional Challenges
Middle-aged women in the workforce encounter unique challenges. Women in their 40s and 50s often find themselves overlooked for promotions as companies prioritize younger talent under the guise of “fresh ideas.” Their years of experience and wisdom are undervalued and their contributions remain overshadowed by stereotypes that portray middle-aged women as being addicted to technology.
For women who took a career break to raise children, re-entering the workplace becomes an uphill battle. The gap in their resumes is often viewed as a liability and they face challenges coping with the evolving job market. Many middle-aged women juggle professional responsibilities with caregiving roles, whether for aging parents or depending on children. Their switch from a strong and bold employee or leader to a gentle caring daughter or mother is commendable. But these switches cause a mental and Physical toll which often leads to burnout.
Social Isolation and Loneliness
As a woman ages, she loses friends and he social circle shrinks due to various reasons like busy schedules, geographic relocations, or differing life stages. This leads to feelings of isolation and loneliness which is exacerbated by societal invisibility that Middle-Aged women experience. In the Modern world which is obsessed with youth, Middle-aged women often feel ignored. Advertisements, media, and popular culture rarely represent women in this age group, reinforcing that their best years are already behind them. In some cases, age brings strain in marital relationships as couples face midlife crises, empty nests, or financial pressures. Divorce rates are high among middle-aged couples, leaving many women to navigate this phase of life alone.
Financial Problems
Financial challenges are a significant concern for middle-aged women, particularly for those who took a break from work to focus on families, many women enter middle age with insufficient retirement funds due to career break or lower-paying jobs. This creates anxiety sense of fear about their future. Eventually, this anxiety becomes a full-grown fear of being a burden to their family. Women who rely on their spouses for financial support face vulnerability. This is prevalent in cases of divorce or the death of a partner. Without personal savings or financial literacy, they may struggle to secure their independence.
Cultural and Societal Shackles.
Cultural norms and societal expectations add another layer of complexity to the lives of middle-aged women. Society expects women to age gracefully which often translates to maintaining picture-perfect bodies while embracing the wisdom of age. This contradictory expectation places undue pressure on women to invest in beauty products that keep them glowing and fair. They also invest in fitness regimes. In many cultures, women are seen as the primary caregivers for aging parents and children. This expectation though rooted in tradition creates a heavy burden leaving little or no time and energy for women to indulge in self-care. Apart from this Middle-Aged women are often judged harshly for their choices, whether it is choosing to focus career, focusing on family or pursuing a new hobby, or prioritizing their happiness. The judgment can deter women from embracing their individuality and living freely.
This was a detail discussion of the various struggles that women experienced in their Middle Ages. It is important to understand the problem before solving it. In the next week, we will be discussing possible solutions and ways in which we can make the transition of women easier. Until then Keep Reading Foramz for your daily dose of moral support.
Leave a Reply