The phrase “midlife crisis” today conjures up images of male indulgence and irresponsibility—an affluent, middle-aged man speeding off in a red sports car with a woman half his age—but before it become a gendered cliché, it gained traction as a feminist concept. Journalist Gail Sheehy used the term to describe a midlife period when both men and women might reassess their choices and seek a change in life. Sheehy’s definition challenged the double standard of middle age—where aging is advantageous to men and detrimental to women—by viewing midlife as an opportunity rather than a crisis. Widely popular in the United States and internationally, the term was quickly appropriated by psychological and psychiatric experts and redefined as a male-centered, masculinist concept. The first book-length history of this controversial concept, Susanne Schmidt’s Midlife Crisis recounts the surprising origin story of the midlife debate and traces its movement from popular culture into academia. Schmidt’s engaging narrative telling of the feminist construction—and ensuing antifeminist backlash—of the midlife crisis illuminates a lost legacy of feminist thought, shedding important new light on the history of gender and American social science in the 1970s and beyond.

Explains how to deal with a husband's mid-life crisis, covering topics including infidelity, thrill-seeking behavior, and financial irresponsibility, and deciding whether or not to continue with the relationship.

This compendium presents the findings of 29 scholars on public policy issues affecting midlife women.

A guide for professional women struggling with burnout analyzes the social and psychological factors that affect a woman's career and relationships, and offers strategies for achieving a healthy personal and professional balance.

The number of women at midlife served by the helping professions is substantial. Thorough and insightful, this book fills the gap in knowledge about these women and examines critical issues concerning family, caregiving, work, physical health, emotional and mental health, and more. Dispelling restrictive and outdated myths, the authors probe the meaning and direction of women at midlife. This scholarly volume, highlighted by compelling vignettes and backed by extraordinary research, explores the full range of midlife experiences, from how to define midlife to individual development to relationships with other family members. Social work instructors, students, and practitioners, as well as women who themselves are at midlife, will find that the work offers important professional and personal benefits.

"The author of Altered Loves . . . now turns her analytical eye toward middle-aged women. The result is both lively and revealing." --New York Times Book Review In this groundbreaking and insightful study Terri Apter traces womens midlife course, drawing on detailed interviews with women in their forties and fifties. Apter finds that women experience a renewed sense of themselves and see the second half of life as an opportunity for psychological growth and fulfillment instead of a time of despair over lost youth and beauty. She divides midlife women into four categories--traditional, innovative, expansive, protesting--and shows the cause for the midlife crisis and the path toward resolution for each type.

As this useful collection of writings proves, Medieval mystics have much wisdom to offer contemporary middle-aged women grappling with empty nests, evolving careers, spiritual growth, and physical issues.

THE DEFINITIVE RESOURCE ON MIDLIFE DEVELOPMENT Edited by Margie Lachman, a leader in the field, Handbook ofMidlife Development provides an up-to-date portrayal of humandevelopment during the middle years of the life span. Featuringcontributions from well-established, highly regarded experts, thisexhaustive reference fills the gap for a compilation of research onthis increasingly important topic. Divided into four comprehensive sections, the book addresses thetheoretical, biomedical, psychological, and social aspects ofmidlife development. Each chapter includes coverage of unifyingthemes such as gender differences, ethnic and cultural diversity,historical changes, and socioeconomic differences from a life-spandevelopmental perspective. Readers will discover what can belearned from individuals' subjective conceptions of midlife;explore various "cultural" fictions of middle age; examine theresources individuals have at their disposal to negotiate midlife;consider mechanisms for balancing work and family; and other topicsas presented in the latest research from the social, behavioral,and medical sciences. Handbook of Midlife Development is an indispensable resource forprofessionals and practitioners who work with adults and forresearchers and students who study adult development and relatedtopics. Some of the midlife topics discussed: * Cultural perspectives * Physical changes * Stress, coping, and health * Intellectual functioning * Memory * Personality and the self * Adaptation and resilience * Emotional development * Families and intergenerational relationships * Social relationships * The role of work * Planning for retirement