Life begins at 37 for men

A new study has found that the happiest time of a man’s life is around age 37 – when they have climbed the career ladder and started a family.

It is an age by which most men are settled in a happy relationship and have formed a close circle of friends with which to socialize.

The dreaded “mid-life crisis” is still a decade away and their troubled angst-ridden teens are a fading memory.

Becoming a father is a particularly rewarding experience with a beaming 43% of men say becoming a parent was one of the happiest days of their life.

The study, conducted by menswear brand Jacamo found that this was followed by getting married, with 35% rating it as one of their top three happiest moments in life, and seeing their favorite football team win the league (18%).

Other memorable happy moments include buying a house or car, proposing to a partner, and graduating from university.

Experts say these are all milestones many men are likely to have passed by the age of 37 and could explain why it is the “age of happiness”.

Phillip Hodson, fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, said men of 37 typically benefit from health and life experience.

He said: “It would be logical to think that men would be happier when they are younger, when they are fitter and healthier.

“As men get older they become more prone to illness and more feeble.

“At 37, you are young enough not to be disillusioned by life, which comes with the midlife crisis.

“But you are also old enough to have developed self-confidence, earned some respect and authority and to have a sense of achievement.”

Day to day, eating a favorite lunch is the one activity most likely to put a smile on a man’s face, the poll of 1,000 men revealed.

Splashing out on DVDs, clothes and gadget makes a gloomy day shine for 28% of men, and hanging out with friends is a boost for 27%.

A quarter, 26%, enjoy an innocent flirt, 22% a cup of tea or coffee and 20% a surprise dinner cooked by the woman in their life.

Others are happy when they find time to read the news, achieve a new top score on a computer game or simply receive a text message.

Romantic men are happiest when spending time with their partner, followed by their mates and children.

However, just 5% are happy when in the presence of workmates.

Lucy Dobson, from Jacamo, said: “It’s great to see that becoming a father and getting married is the key to men’s lasting happiness.

“And when it comes to day-to-day activities which bring happiness, nothing beats a decent lunch followed by a splurge on some new clothes.”

 

Top moments in man’s life (men could chose three)

1. Becoming a parent (43%)

2. Getting married (35%)

3. Seeing his favorite sports team winning the league (18%)

4. Buying a new house (17%)

5. Seeing a country sports team win a significant title (14%)

6. Proposing to a partner (13%)

7. Graduating/finishing full time education (9%)

8. Buying a new car (7%)

 

Day-to-day things that put a smile on a man’s face

1. Eating a favorite lunch (29%)

2. Self gifting DVDs, clothes and technology (28%)

3. Hanging out with friends (27%)

4. An innocent flirt (26%)

5. A decent tea/coffee (22%)

6. A surprise dinner from a woman in his life (20%)

7. Having time to read the news (11%)

8. Getting a new top score on a computer game/app (8%)

9. Receiving a text (5%)

10. Catching up with friends via social media (3%)