Americans at Midlife

Americans at Midlife is an exploration of the middle years within the framework of trends in the larger society including longer life expectancy and an aging population; changes in marriage divorce and family composition; increased participation of women in the labor force; and the growth of two-income families.Major interests at midlife center around work and careers current and future economic well-being and planning for retirement. Other major concerns involve relationships with younger and older generations: boomerang kids who leave home and return and aging parents often healthy and active now who may need care in their later years.The book begins with a discussion of how demographic and social changes affect midlife followed by chapters on work and retirement planning or looking for the good years the not-so-empty nest and aging parents. A chapter on mid-life women considers the implications of combining work and caregiving and raises concerns about their economic well-being given their longer life expectancy and often more limited resources. The book ends with a consideration of policy issues that may affect midlife in the future.