Jul 1st 2009 By Jeremy Taylor

Most Believe Old Age Begins at 68

Our happy hour fact to amaze your drinking buddies with.

Sixty-eight is the average age that Americans think one becomes an old person.

The Pew Research Center came to this conclusion after surveying 2,969 adults 18 and older. Not surprisingly, those who were already 65 declared old age as beginning at 74, while people younger than 30 think you are elderly when you turn 60.

The study also asked questions about particular "markers" of old age. For example, two-thirds of Americans think you are old if you have lost your ability to drive a car, but only one-third think no longer being sexually active outs you as an old fogie.

In a related survey, Asylum has found that you are never old if you continue to play video games in your parents' basement. Carry on.

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From the Web ...

Diseases You Thought You Were Too Young to Get (AskMen.com)

8 Child Prodigies So Amazing That They Will Depress You (Cracked)

Tags: aging - old age - OldAge

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Monday 06 July

By ycav4424

Neutral

I always thought that I would be old when I can't work anymore. That has changed, now one of the reasons we can't work is because they won't close the borders.

Monday 06 July

By tess

Neutral

I remember when I was in high school one of my girl friends had a boyfriend who was 26. All of us girls thought that he was sooooo old! When I was 18 I dated a couple of guys in their late twenties. Once again thinking that they were so mature and old. When in my twenties I knew a guy who was handsome and sexy but oh, geeze he was 38 and that was an antique, so I didn't date him! Now that I'm in my late 50's I look back and see how dumb I was to think anyone was old at any age. My Grandmother who recently passed at 98 told me she looked in the mirror every day and wondered who that old lady was looking back at her, because inside she felt like she was 19! I feel the same way. Inside I still feel like a teenager most days. I am wiser by far and would never go back to relive all of those years of learning and growth to get where I am today. My Mother is turning 77 this year and I can't keep up with her. She can out work, and out think anybody 1/3 her age! The secret is..enjoy your life, be thankful for everyday and everything, even the bad experiences are learning tools if you let them be that for your growth to wisdom. I still keep learning everyday and am looking forward to a long and happy life yet to come. Respect and love the elders for they have lots to share if you really listen. Everything old is new again. I like to think of my Grandmother as now being in heaven and being that 19 year old she always knew she was. Being young is a state of mind!

Tuesday 07 July

By AJA

Neutral

I was very active and worked hard when I grew up until I became 74 and I found myself unable to walk much due to bad knees. My bones are in body are not good. I take medicine to strengthen the bones..I looked back and was thankful that I traveled all over the world before I became too disabled. I use a walker but to the limit ..Now I am 75 and my mind is sharp. My eyes are good so I am not complaining ..I become involved with the community service and play mexican games two times a month.

Monday 06 July

By Bob A

Neutral

1-30 = young
31-50 = middle aged
51-61 = upper-middle age
62-80 = old aged
81-100+ = old-old age

Monday 06 July

By mandag1

Neutral

Honestly I consider late 70's, 80's old age. Of course it depends on the person. I am only 31, and I'm not old, but I feel like an old person (health wise) My grandfather seems old, he can barely walk, but my boyfriend's grandmother, neither of us can keep up with her, you would think she is 20. Being active seems to help the elderly. I have been in a lot of accidents and am clumsy so I feel a lot older than I am.

Tuesday 07 July

By Jacob

Neutral

Physical age is a state of mind, in my opinion. I know people who are 40 who act and feel as if they were 90. I know and have relatives in their 90's who act and feel that they are in their 20's. (Our physiological bodies just can't keep up as we age.) I agree, that our society is missing out by "warehousing" so many of our elderly. They, after all, are a source of wisdom and history. If we forget our history lessons, history obviously repeats itself.

Monday 06 July

By Wolf

Neutral

I turn 50 in a week. It's not the destination, but the journey, folks. I drink like a fish, smoke like a chimney, love my burgers, and been ridin' a Harley all my life. So far, so good....hehhehheh....I still have twenty something babes hittin' on me......which I don't go for....don't speak the lingo. (HAH......see how REALLY mature I've gotten!!!) ........... "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and spent, loudly proclaiming.......WOW!!!!!......WHAT A RIDE!!!!!" ~Unknown Laugh, love, live. Pay attention, but don't sweat the small stuff people.

Monday 06 July

By Debera

Neutral

At 57yrs young, I am a member of a guild on World of Warcraft, a level 80 Tank Warrior. Want to feel young your whole life? Marry a younger person. My darling husband is 13yrs my jr. Life life well. As Deborah Harry put it, "Die Young and Stay Pretty."