Seriously. What has happened to Australian men? Have they gone a bit soft? According to a new study, Aussie blokes are twice as likely to lie about their age (69%) than women (31%). But one-third of those who lie say they’re older than what they are – apparently in at attempt to seem younger.
And to think some man came up with the pejorative concept of ‘women’s logic’.
“Turning 40 raises the anxiety in men that their best years are behind them,” says psychologist Meredith Fuller.
“The survey reveals that women in their 40s are comfortable with who they are, while men between their 30s and mid-40s experience lower happiness levels than at any other time in their lives.”
Ms Fuller says that men fear their careers are plateauing at 40, especially with the ambitious and energetic Gen Y’s biting at their career heels.
“Women are in greater career demands than ever,” she says. “Older women are the fastest growing small business owners and they’re feeling that they can ‘do it all’.”
But it could be we’re all fooling ourselves.
The survey shows that more than two-thirds of us don’t feel 40 or more because we “don’t look it” and 57% of us feel the same as we did in our 30s.
“As people get older, their perception of their age and how old they think they feel gets further and further from the truth,” says Ms Fuller.
Ouch.
Even so, those younger than 40 still subscribe to the adage that life begins at 40 and – sweet things that they are – less than one-third think 40 is “old”.
The survey was conducted for Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment to mark the release of the comedy This is 40 on Blu-ray, DVD and UltraViolet. The movie, which stars Paul Rudd (no relation to Kevin) and Leslie Mann, is the sequel to the 2007 comedy Knocked Up. To be fair to Aussie men, the premise of the movie suggests that they're not the only ones concerned about turning 40!
By the way, if you’re not yet familiar with UltraViolet, it’s the key to digital access of movies and other entertainment across all your devices: you watch what you want when you want it, wherever you are and whatever you can watch it on.
Are you worried about turning 40?
We've got 5 DVDs of This is 40 to giveaway, thanks to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Just let us know in 25 words or less whether you're worried about turning 40 and why. Entries close on 25th May.
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