Facing the Fifties: From Denial to Reflection

The decade between fifty and sixty is uncharted territory, a phase of life that is largely ignored. Yet for many people it's a time of turbulent change as they face the loss of youthfulness, menopause, perhaps redundancy, retirement, a new role as children leave home, and the decline or death of their parents. Dr Peter O'Connor, who previously examined the mid-life years in Understanding the Mid-Life Crisis, now explores the meaning of the fifties transition. Peter O'Connor draws on interviews with men and women in their fifties as well as his wide experience as a psychologist to redefine this vital stage, which can be as potent as adolescence. Facing the fifties suggests a rite of passage that allows us to mourn what is lost and celebrate new possibilities as we grow older. Thoughtful, challenging, and sometimes controversial, it offers a map for the journey towards a renewed sense of self, and a valued place in society.