Example research essay topic: The Differences Between Middle Aged Men And Women - 1,048 words

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The Bio social Differences between Middle Aged Men and Women Middle adulthood is believed to be a period of transition and change. People experience changes physically, as the functioning of most systems slows down. People experience transition emotionally, trying to decide what to do with their lives. How they handle these changes is influenced by gender, genetic predisposition, their families and society. Unfortunately, aging process is not possible without physical changes.

Process of aging consists of two parts, primary and secondary aging. Primary aging process is a process in the body that we can not control. All these changes are explained by work of cells. Decreasing of regeneration of cells causes slowing down of biological functions (The Aging Process) Most obvious are changes in skin and muscle elasticity, hair and nails becoming thinner, and adding extra pounds, though not for everybody. These changes occur very slowly at this stage of age development. Though changes are typical for both genders, wrinkles and extra pounds seem to have a greater emotional affect on women.

This effect is probably caused by continuous promotion on television, magazines, etc. of young and beautiful looks. This causes women to try to adjust to present day expectations. Some buy anti-aging products, while others go as far as plastic surgery.

There is a gradual change in sensory organs: taste, smell, sensitivity. One of the consequences of these changes later in life is loose of appetite. More noticeable changes take place in hearing and vision functions. This causes decline in reaction time, which leads to more injuries.

Since cell reproduction is slowing down at this stage, it takes more time to heal. So, even small changes in these two areas can cause big problems. According to multiple researches, vision and hearing is worse for men then women, though by little percentage This is noticeable in low volume conversations, whisper. (Berger, p. 521). Secondary aging is caused by life health habits. This is a process that can be postponed if people try to lead a healthy life. Absence of exercise, high in fat and low in fiber diet, and much stress speeds up secondary aging process.

In adulthood these factors cause people to evaluate their attitude toward these three factors. This causes both men and women to cut back on smoking, drinking and fat food products. Exercising also helps to postpone secondary aging by keeping muscles and bones in good shape longer. In this stage, mortality of men is higher than those of women. This is mostly due to the fatal illnesses like heart disease, more common to men.

While women suffer from chronological illnesses, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, etc. (Berger, p. 525). For both men and women middle age is an age of changes and turns. Some changes are common for both and some unique for specific gender. Social aspect of aging process is influenced by social attitude toward this age group.

For example, in some cultures, being older is more respectable because older people are considered to be wiser. In our high technology and competitive world, when younger and stronger wins, becoming old is something that is waited on with fear. Due to todays TV shows and advertisement, looking older is not something respectable. This is especially hard on women, when every new wrinkle and every added pound moves them further away from ideal picture. It seems that everything is against growing old. One of the most popular social theories concerning women is Empty nest Syndrome.

As can be guessed from the name, this syndrome has to do with adjusting changes happening in families when children get married and leave or take off for college. Though, this is a predictable part of life-cycle and everyone moves out sometime in life, it is hard for most mothers. Still, some argue that this theory was more applicable to families half a century ago, when women stayed at home their main task was housework and taking care of children. Now, when most women in the United States are working outside their homes, the situation has changed. When asked, some women say that they are actually enjoying empty nests, because it gives them more time to spend on themselves. Besides it is very common nowadays, when kids live with their parents while in college, or even after getting married, so called sandwich generation.

So, it is hard to argue which of the statements is true. Another critical factor for women is menopause. It is a biological factor, which puts an end to reproduction function and brings changes to health, increasing chance of getting breast cancer and other serious illness. It also has a great emotional effect on women, but mostly due to anticipation. Most researchers will agree that there is no such thing as menopause for men in middle adulthood. They are still able to become fathers at this age.

Though, there is a decrease of testosterone production later in their lives. It is very common though, that if men are worried about their potency, their stress may cause unfortunate changes in sex life. According to many researches, men see middle age stage as last opportunity to fulfill their dreams. (Gelles, p. 139) Have they fulfilled their dreams? Have they reached the plan at work? Some very common consequences of these questions are a change of a career, buying an expensive car to reassert ones youth, and unfortunately, very often, divorce. Change of a career or attempt to reach higher results in the same organization is a very common step, taken by men during mid-life crisis.

Still, some dont take these steps and feel depressed about not being able to go back being young. It is believed that middle age is associated with the transition, change, instability. By the end of the middle age stage, after dealing with difficulty, most people start to report satisfaction with life, probably due to the fact that there is less stress and uncertainty in life, than there is in an early adulthood. References: Berger, K. (1995). The Developing Person Through the Life Span, 3 rd Edition. Worth Publishers 2.

Gelles, R. (1995). Sociology: an Introduction, 5 th Edition. Mc Glow Hill Inc. Myers, D. (1986). Psychology, 1 st Edition. Walt Publisher Inc.

NC Department of Health and Human Services, The Aging Process, from web

Research essay sample on The Differences Between Middle Aged Men And Women