The Late 30s are Men's Misery Years

Plus the extra stress of a family who blames a man for "not being there" while he's sold his very soul to give the family everything it needs in this world.

Staying at home with the kids it rewarding and low stress (7 hours a day of 'me time' while the kids are at school)?

And here I was thinking men had it all and women were oppressed. My goodness it just boggles my mind that working men with all the power could be unhappy.

/sarcasm

"PARASITE."

I humbly suggest that the fundamental relationship between women and men today in America is one of parasitical exploitation.

And no, I am not suggesting that women are the exploited gender.

A parasite requires a "host." That is a superior organism that provides the parasite with its sustenance. A sophisticated parasite will not even announce that it is sucking the life blood of its host.

The problem with being a parasite is that the host might eventually catch on and exile or exterminate the parasite; or, more likely, the host will be depleted by the parasite's vampirism and become too debilitated (or even expire) -- thus no longer serving any useful purpose.

The Marriage Strike is one social illustration of men becoming more familiar with the female species' adoption of parasitical tactics towards men.

Feminism is the ultimate ideological parasite.

It requires a willing and gullible host (i.e. the U.S. Congress) upon which to feed and exploit via VAWA, the DV Industry, the Family Courts racketeering, etc.

Some parasites even claim they provide genuine benefits to their hosts...

It can be a complicated relationship.

Well I'm not one to besmirch the research capabilities of "Researchers"... but IMO that article is a load of british "Poo".

I'm turning 40 this year and the last 5 years have been the most fun I've had, kids are old enough to be fun, I've got lots of disposable income, and enough vacation to get away when I need it.

Life is good.

Dave K
A Radical Moderate

I'm 43, and frankly, I've never been happier. I've got a good job, tenure, a good Russian wife, and we just came back from a week in the Bahamas. And I was in Rome in the spring. Maybe this is a Yankee thing, but I was most miserable between 28 and 32.

When I was in my mid to late 30's, I thought that was my happiest time..at that time. But now that I'm approaching fifty, and am no longer working so have had time to look back and think about it, I realize I did have most fun in my late teens and early 20's. How about you guys? It seems one of the best things about youth is that you have your whole life ahead of you.

"Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret." --Disraeli

-ax

I think it's important how you view 'struggle', or maybe what kind of struggle you find yourself in. I've got a great job, 'struggle' in that arena is great in my case (I love my work). Struggle at home is trying to make sure the boys get the best start in life I can give them... and while I always feel like I could be doing more (Catholic and guilt, we're used to it so it's not big deal), the fact is that they're great kids. Money struggle... maybe I should worry about it more but it's just not a priority (the only value I see in money are the things I buy with it), I make enough that I don't have to worry about balancing checkbooks and such. I'm one of those guys that everyone has trouble buying gifts for, because when I want something I go get it.

When I was in my 20's I was essentailly poor, struggling to pay off college bills and save up for a house. In my teens I had high school to deal with (biggest waste of time in my entire life). In my early 30's I had a monumental struggle to get through with my wife (rough times for a number of years).

I do wax nostalgic on occasion for certain events in my life, but overall I can't say I was happier at any other point in my life. I do have to admith though... being young was nice in one respect, I could eat whatever I wanted and even if I gained some weight, I could lose it just as fast. :)

Dave K
A Radical Moderate

Another factor is undoubtedly the fact that this is also the prime time for divorce and loss of the "young family" the article mentions. Wonder how that got left out?

The period after 35 and until 45 is the period men will experience divorce and alienation from kids. That is pure misery. At the end of that period the kids have grown a bit and as young adults usually they re-bond with dad. Also, married men are largely massively sexually frustrated during those years as wives focu on kids, and simply sometimes just beg off sex...no interest, and find all sorts of things wrong about hubby to justify same. Then the divorce comes and or he simply gives up, and she is able to be a full time parasite, literally giving NOTHING, no help, no respect, no sex, no financial contribution, and nothing but whining and complaining.
At 65 I think the men are happier because they've realized that life doesnt depend on the cooperation of a woman, they may have friends, a hobby, some security, and the threat of her divorcing him drops as he stops giving a huge rip.
There are exceptions of course, but I am certain there is a sexual component to the age overlap and differing times of happiness. In fact I've heard women so venom filled about sex with hubby that I got the impression NOT having sex was a stronger drive then his need to have it.