People in their 50s are living a life as modern and active as millennials, poll finds

Game of Thrones, gym memberships and gigging all found to be popular hobbies, survey finds

Tuesday 09 July 2019 14:07 EDT
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Japan celebrates Respect for the Aged Day. The nation is a hotspot for increasing longevity
Japan celebrates Respect for the Aged Day. The nation is a hotspot for increasing longevity (AFP)

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Far from a mid-life crisis, those in their 50s are living the life of a millennial, a new poll suggests.

While many young people think that the fifth decade of life is a miserable time, many respondents who have reached it appeared to have a different view.

Activities commonly thought to be reserved for young people, such as gym memberships, Game of Thrones and active gig-going are rife, a poll of the age group found.

A fifth attended gigs every few months, despite the same amount of 18 to 29-year-olds believing older people "never" attend concerts.

Despite the survey suggesting over 50’s are far from "old", more than 40 per cent believed those under 30 probably considered them to be "old".

More than one in five thought young people saw them as unadventurous while 19 per cent thought they are seen as "uninteresting".

While one in 20 thought people over 50 did not have sex, the survey carried out for TUI UK revealed one in 10 said their sex lives were better than ever.

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In another sign of the age divide, one fifth of respondents said that common depictions of middle age in advertising, failed to represent the reality.

Branding was another area where the upper age groups felt disenchanted, with perceptions of industries being unrepresentative faring at 14 per cent for fashion, 16 per cent for music, and 12 per cent for travel.

SWNS

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