Internet Erupts Into Fierce Debate Over What Is Classed As Middle Aged

Twitter users have found themselves embroiled in fierce debate over the definition of ‘middle aged’. 

It all began with a viral tweet stating: “Middle aged twitter (22-25) is so interesting.” 

The original poster didn’t care to elaborate on the logic behind such a bold statement, but that didn’t stop angry Twitter users from throwing their two cents in. 

Many individuals who considered themselves to belong to Gen Z – born between 1997 and 2012, making them aged 10 to 25 – took great offence at the very suggestion they could be considered middle aged. 

They expressed their utter shock across Twitter, with one person writing: “Middle aged??? How long do you think the average life expectancy is??” 

Another said: “Only on twitter will you see 22 year olds being called middle aged.” 

“This tweet is kinda like a glimpse into what Twitter woulda been like in like 1900 when 25 was actually middle aged,” noted a third person. 

“‘Middle aged’ y'all just wake up and tweet anything,” said a fourth. 

Someone else joked: “Ever since i saw that tweet about 22 to 25 being middle aged I'm feeling back pain.” 

If you’ve been personally affected by the original tweet then rest assured, their opinion is not backed up by much. 

So how old is middle aged actually? 

According to the dictionary definition, middle aged is: “The period of your life, usually considered to be from about 45 to 60 years old, when you are no longer young, but are not yet old.” 

And there’s more evidence to show why the term middle aged certainly does not correlate to ages 22-25. 

According to a 2018 YouGov study, Brits have very clearly defined definitions of youth, middle age, and old-age. 

First of all, youth is thought to last throughout your twenties, and only begins to wane at 29. 

However, once you reach the dreaded 30 mark, you enter into an undefined transitory period, where you are no longer considered young, but equally are not quite middle aged. 

Those aged between 30 and 47 therefore enter ‘a no-man's land age group – an age range that the English language doesn’t seem to have a term for’. 

And by the age of 48, you are finally considered middle-aged by most Brits – a far cry from the previously suggested 22-25. 

And old age doesn’t set in till 70, at which point it is safe to consider yourself an elder by British standards, or at least ‘old’. 

So, there you have it. Case closed. 

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Twitter, Social Media

Abbi Murray

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