This Generation Has the Gloomiest Outlook on Retirement
Chris Kissell

Twitter has erupted into a furious debate over the definition of middle aged.

Age is just a number, the saying goes – which is true but not entirely accurate. Age is at least two numbers: your chronological age and your biological age.

Your chronological age is the number of candles you blow out each year. Biological age, also known as physiological age, is a feeling – or some may argue a science – determined by lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and sleeping habits.

So, what is considered middle aged?

It depends on who you ask, as it's mostly subjective – but perhaps don't ask a Gen Zer if you're over 25.

Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter

According to a 2018 YouGov study, Brits consider middle-aged to be 48. "Old age" doesn't set in till 70.

The dictionary definition defines it as: "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."

But now, middle-aged is apparently considered those between the ages of 22-25, according to a viral tweet that has caused chaos online.

The (assumingly) joking 19-year-old didn't elaborate on her bold statement, but fellow users were on standby to offer their take.

One joked: "Can't wait to start screaming at kids to get off my lawn when I turn 26," while another added: "Twitter users view ageing the same way as people who lived in the 14th century."

"I will never get over how 18-19-year-olds will treat anyone over the age of 20 like they're on the verge of requiring life support," a third jested.

Others insisted on keeping the age debate on TikTok and leaving Twitter alone.



Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Please log in or register to upvote this article
The Conversation (0)