Category: old age

Nothing in life is constant. Lifestyles change. Civilizations evolve. And so does the way we experience and understand different stages of life.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the average life expectancy in Europe was around 50 years. By the mid-20th century, it had increased to about 70 years. Today, it’s closer to 80 and continues to rise. In fact, the fastest-growing age group is now those aged 80 and over. This means we have roughly 30 more years to do what our great-grandparents had to manage within 50 years. Our children may have up to 90 or even 100 years, nearly double the amount of time.

The Emergence of New Life Stages

With these shifts, it’s no surprise that new models are needed to classify life today. Just as the concept of “childhood” was developed in the 17th and 18th centuries—when children were seen more as “young adults” and essential parts of the workforce—up to three new stages have emerged over the past century.

In the early 1900s, the term “adolescence” was introduced by G. Stanley Hall, describing it as a “time of disturbance and psychological confusion.” Erik Erikson and Anna Freud further refined this concept in the 1950s. Until recently, human life stages were mostly classified as infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age, with adulthood covering a broad span from ages 20 to 60, and old age encompassing everything beyond.

Today, however, a 60- or 70-year-old is not necessarily a frail, dependent elder. With life expectancy extending further, it became necessary to redefine old age, resulting in terms like the “young old” (60-85) and the “oldest old” (85+). Some experts also propose a “middle old” category (75-85), though there isn’t yet a universal consensus.

The extension of human lifespan has also brought about the rise of “emerging adulthood,” a concept introduced by Jeffrey Arnett in 2000. This new stage recognizes that young adults are increasingly taking longer to commit to traditional milestones, preferring to explore a sea of possibilities before settling down. Different vocations, frequent job changes, and delayed commitments to marriage and parenthood have all become part of this new life stage.

Changing Lifestyles

When I was a child, I would come home from school, finish my homework, and rush out to be with friends. I’d return home at dusk, have dinner, and maybe watch a TV show or two before heading to bed. Most of my time was spent outside, playing with friends, or even just ‘getting bored’ at home.

Today’s children and teenagers have a different experience. With unlimited access to digital entertainment—whether through TV, streaming services, tablets, or smartphones—many seldom have the opportunity to “get bored.” Social interaction often happens through apps, and “alone time” is something they might even look forward to. Just last week, when we planned to see a new blockbuster film, my friend’s 10-year-old son opted to stay home with his tablet instead. What a change! The expectations for children today are vastly different from those of my generation, and even more so compared to those of my mother or grandmother.

Emerging and Young Adulthood

Similar changes can be seen in emerging and young adulthood. Thirty years ago, if you weren’t married, hadn’t moved out of the house, or didn’t have a steady job by your late 20s, you were considered to be running late. Having your first child after 30 was seen as very late and even medically irresponsible. In my mother’s generation, the expected age for these milestones was mid-20s, and in my grandmother’s time, it was early 20s or even younger. Today, many young adults are living carefree, single lives well into their 30s. The challenging job market makes it easier to postpone settling down, as explored in the “emerging and young adult” Blobs.

Changing Gender Roles

Age-based expectations aren’t the only things evolving—gender roles are also changing. Thirty or sixty years ago, it was the norm for mothers to stay at home, taking care of the children and household, while fathers earned the bread. This setup is no longer the standard, nor is it always sustainable. Due to both economic necessity and a desire for self-fulfilment, more mothers are returning to the workforce after a short break, expecting fathers to take on their share of household duties. While stay-at-home fathers are still relatively rare, the trend is changing, and the stigma surrounding it has lessened.

Shifting Family Structures and Work Environments

Family structures and work environments have also seen significant changes. Divorce, single-parent households, and same-gender households are more common now, as the stigmas of previous generations fade. In the workplace, project-based contracts, teleworking, and freelance consulting are increasingly popular. The idea of being employed by the same company for 20+ years, once a norm, is now an exception. Additionally, in many countries, the typical retirement age of 65 is being questioned, as funding prolonged old age stages has become more challenging.

Is All Change Good?

So, where are we heading? A sceptic might say we are moving towards insecure economic times, with broken families and lonely, unsocial individuals. An optimist would say we are moving towards longer, healthier lives, with infinite opportunities, freedom, and the chance to live more fulfilling lives.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Read more about the 6 year Blobs:

Spring: 1-6, 7-12, 13-18, 19-24
Summer: 25-30, 31-36, 37-42, 43-48
Autumn: 49-54, 55-60, 61-66, 67-72
Winter: 73-78, 79-84, 85-91, 91-…