Do we care more, or less, as we age?

Question

Inspired by overhearing the comment "I don't worry about that stuff anymore; not at my age."

Answer 1

We don't care "more" or "less", we care differently - as we age, our priorities shift, and we learn more about what is and what is not worth worrying about, as well as what we can and can not affect by worrying.

Answer 2

Generally...I think, as children, we care about everything, and that's why we are so inquisitive. As we grow into teenagers, we become more selfish as we learn to care more about ourselves...how we look, sex, what we have, what we need. Heading into the early work related years, we care more about possessions, and how we appear to others...strutting our stuff, so to speak. I'd say, around the age of thirty to forty, most people start caring about others more...our families, our friends, the poor, the hungry, the abused, our country, etc. That thrives until the sixties, and above, when it's just no longer very important if you're seen with no make-up, or your socks don't match your trousers, or there's a dent in your car door, or if "you're gettin any". You still care about all that other stuff, you just realize that there's not a whole lot you can do about it, so you don't worry about it.I think as people age past their prime, they realize what is important in their life and what doesn't matter.

Answer 3

We do not care any more or any less with age, what we care about changes. A young man/woman will care more about getting a date and being attractive to others while an older man/woman will care more about being secure in his/her relationship.

This does NOT mean the younger generation doesn't care about stable relationships and the older genderation doesn't care about looking attractive, but as time and experiance build up you start to realize what is worth worrying about for you, personally, and what isn't worth worrying about.

Also, there are a certain set of cultural tabboos or sterotypes for each age group that governs what you should and should not worry about. Example: A young man worrying about his health all the time is a hypocondriac while an older man who does the same thing is being cautious.

~~ Abaddon

Answer 4

I think when your younger age can scare some people. When you get older the pressure is off because you know it's all downhill from now on. Most people of age have done been there & done that so to speak.

I'm 4 days older than dirt & I wouldn't have missed this time in my life for anything. I love being an old people!

Answer 5

you worry more about the things you used to care less about

and worry less about the things you used to think were important

instead of caring how good your butt looks in a certain pair of jeans, or if you bra matches your panties, or if your best friend is mad at you, or if you are going to pass biology class

you worry about

can I afford the extra car maintenance this month, gosh is that another wrinkle on my face, am I peeing more frequently, will my job be secure for the next 30 years, will I be able to retire at 65

you always worry the same amount - just as you grow older and change; so do your worries

Answer 6

I think we care less, we learn that life goes on no matter what, and we learn to stop taking everyone and everything so seriously. For example, I know that not everyone is going to like me, I don't expect them to, but I used to care about it a whole lot more when I was younger than I do now.

Answer 7

Less about the small stuff, more about the important stuff. I keep telling my daughter that the things she stresses about now will seem so silly when she's my age and the stuff she doesn't even think about will be the major things to stress her.

Answer 8

I cared more what people thought when I was younger. Now that I am older and no the real me. I could careless what people think. I guess I have gotten to the age that I am happy with me and don't care...
☺

Answer 9

I think it depends on the subject.
I dont think elderly peopel really care what their body image is or who they play cards with, but I think they worry more about the important things like Social Security and Medicare and stuff like that.

When I say old, I mean like 60's or 70's

Answer 10

I think we tend to think more about the things in life we need to do to sauced and less about all the childishness we acted on when we were younger.
As we age we know what needs to be thought about and what we can let go of.