The Britons aged 40-plus who refuse to settle down How Men are getting fat because tHey’re ‘too Hard’ to order a salad
PEOPLE in their 30s and 40s are putting off marriage and children to enjoy “self-development” experiences such as travelling the world.
A survey found 82 per cent are opting for the “empty nester” lifestyle now, instead of waiting until any children they have are grown up and leave home.
Britons are now among the oldest first-time parents in the world, with many placing more value on having experiences, travelling and going for promotion at work than settling down.
These ambitions replace having children, which is now only prioritised by 50 per cent, with marriage 49 per cent and buying a house, 42 per cent.
The study, by adventure lifestyle firm Flash Pack, polled 2,000 30 to 49-year-olds and found two-thirds balk at spending an average £30,000 on a wedding or £230,000 on raising a child.
However, many in this group say that splashing out up to £5,000 on a trip to develop their life experience is something they would not think twice about.
Rising living costs may be in part be to blame, with 63 per cent saying that they would rather invest in “self-development” than use this cash for a deposit for a house that may be financially out of reach.
The fact we are living longer does not seem to deter this age group from living for the moment. Some 95 per cent say greater longevity does not necessarily mean they will experience an extended quality of life.
Indeed, 84 per cent say the ailments and restrictions that their grandparents face have affected MOST men find it hard to lose weight because they are too embarrassed to order a salad or a soft drink when they go out, research reveals.
Worrying about their macho image means it is more difficult for men than women to stick to New Year resolutions to improve their health.
The wellness survey of 2,000 adults by WW (formerly Weight Watchers) found 80 per cent of men felt some embarrassment about making such healthy
their outlook on life. Lee Thompson, co-founder of Flash Pack, said: “Over the last three years, we’ve seen an 87 per cent increase in customers coming to us having postponed goals previously held up as important for the age bracket.
“This isn’t to say that having choices, compared to just
25 per cent of women. It suggests they are wary of being seen with a soft drink instead of a beer when they go out or face mockery if they spurn chips in favour of a salad with their meal.
Millions of people begin every year with plans to lose weight, get fit and improve their mental health but most give up, often within days or weeks.
The survey found it is men who find it hardest of all. Six in 10 would rather get a 10 per cent
children or ‘settling down’ isn’t on the cards. Nowadays, it’s our thirties and even forties where we can take stock, investing hard-earned salaries into amazing experiences that really will set us up for the next phase.”
The poll also found that buying a pay rise than lose 10lbs compared to half of women.
More than half of men also said they needed their partner to motivate them, compared to around four in 10 women.
The survey revealed 55 per cent had tried diets or eating plans in the last two years while 40 per cent engaged in “mindfulness activities” to improve their mental health but many said a lack of inspiration held them back. car was only a priority for just over a third, while setting up a pension was vital for just 28 per cent.
But on the other hand, developing self-confidence among the middleaged was top for 65 per cent while overcoming fears mattered most for 59 per cent.