The Social Life: Flawed of Fabulous?
Midlife adults have more family members in their social convoys than their younger counterparts; however, they tend to have less time than other adult age groups to spend with friends (Antonucci et al., 2004). While majority middle-age persons have many acquaintances and social circles, most would only name four to seven people as their actual “friends” (Hutchinson et al., 2011, p. 342). Even though they are not as impacting as familial relationships, friendships suggestively improve the midlife well-being for both men and women (Hutchinson et al., 2011, p. 342). Positive social interactions with friends provide companionship, understanding, affection, and social support as contributing factors to overall well-being. Research has found gender differences between men and women when investigating friendships in middle adulthood (Chao, Lin et al., 2011, p. 387). Following marriage, men tend to have less female friends and begin to depend solely upon their wives as their female confidant. Adequate social supports suggest positive physical health in men between ages 50 and 70. Men usually maintain lifelong friendships longer than women. It is not until after the career begins when men usually see a difference in their time spent with their friends. On the other hand, middle-aged women are more expressive, and personally oriented in friendships and are more likely to make more new friends than men. Those who reported having close groups of female friends have reported greater well-being than midlife women without such interpersonal resources. It is usually not until after childbearing, that women begin to notice decrease amounts of time spent with friends (Chao, Lin et al., 2011).
|
In the following video, Dalma Heyn sheds light on how men and women view dating in very different ways. In this video, you will view four different perspectives on friendships and dating as seen through the eyes of men and women, and also those who prefer online dating versus traditional courting.
|