A New Look at Women at Midlife

Washington — A richly diverse but poorly understood group — midlife women, those between age 40 and age 60 — is the subject of a new book by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). “Women at Midlife: Life Experiences and Implications for the Helping Professions,” summarizes research on and debunks myths about this population, which represents 31 percent of American women and 16 percent of the American population, about 43 million women in all.

The authors — Ski Hunter, MS, MSW, PhD, LMSW-ACP, of the University of Texas at Arlington, Sandra S. Sundel, MSSW, PhD, LCSW, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service of Broward County, Florida, and Martin Sundel, MSW, PhD, president of Sundel Consulting Group —
draw on 232 studies to examine all aspects of midlife women’s lives, from family relationships to work, health, psychological well-being, developmental issues, identity, menopause and sexuality.

They examined issues that have been hotly debated for decades and found some surprising data as the beginning of the 21st Century. The book concludes that:

Midlife is a time when many women come into their own, feeling grounded, independent and satisfied with what they have. In one study cited by the authors, nearly half of women age 51 reported their lives were “first rate,” and they experienced high levels of personal achievement and a new sense of adventure as parenting roles and other duties subsided. In addition, midlife women with greater ego resiliency — the ability to flexibly and resourcefully cope with stressors — were more likely to report life satisfaction, another study found.

Midlife women are a diverse group. A 45-year-old woman can be lesbian, black, poor and have three children, for example, or she may be divorced, white and childless, among numerous other possibilities. Research demonstrates the impact of these differences: Studies show that midlife is the most tumultuous time of life for poor African-American women, for example.

The so-called “empty nest syndrome,” which describes the depression that supposedly arises when one’s children leave home, is far from inevitable. “More often than not, the positives of this period of life outweigh the negatives,” the authors write. Studies show that women in their early 50s often feel satisfaction at having successfully raised and launched their children, a new sense of freedom and well-being, and a desire to tap latent talents and abilities, they note.

“Women at Midlife” includes case vignettes and questions to help social workers focus their thinking when working with this population. For researchers, there are suggestions for future research.

• Menopause is not a major trauma for many midlife women. In fact, “given some exceptions, most women report neutral or positive attitudes about menopause,” the authors write. This is not to minimize the physical changes that accompany menopause; however, research shows that the psychological impact of these signs is culture-bound, the authors note. Educational interventions, for example, can minimize women’s negative feelings about menopause and help them cope better with the transition.
• Work is a psychological balm for most midlife women. Midlife women who are employed report better health, lower anxiety, less depression and greater subjective well-being than women who stay at home, studies find.
• However, women’s work histories are often erratic because of parenting and caretaking duties. Many women leave work for periods of time, work part-time or take low-paying jobs, for instance.
• As a consequence, midlife women often lack sufficient money and later, sufficient retirement funds. “Women who leave paid employment even temporarily to assume caregiving roles often get locked into a lower socioeconomic status for the rest of their lives,” the authors write. Indeed, women represent about 75 percent of the elderly poor, statistics show.

Journalists may obtain a copy of “Women at Midlife,” by contacting the NASW Public Affairs office at media@naswdc.org.

Hunter, Ski, Sundel, Sandra S., Sundel, Martin (2002). Women at Midlife: Life Experience and Implications for the Helping Professions. Washington: National Association of Social Workers.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 140,000 members.  It promotes, develops and protects the practice of social work and social workers.  Founded in 1955, NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities through its work and advocacy.