London - If you’re a man who’s looking forward to fulfilling the old maxim of life beginning at 40, you may be disappointed.
The stresses of modern life mean you could be forced to wait an extra 14 years to reach that point of contentment and security, a survey suggests.
Traditionally 40 was the age when a man was able to start enjoying life after having achieved a level of financial stability and with his children approaching self-sufficiency.
But it seems men these days will have to wait until they are 54 before feeling settled.
The poll of 1 000 men looked at the top male insecurities with the fear of never being able to pay for their home topping the list. The second biggest is losing their hair, the third, losing their job and the fourth is not being in a settled relationship.
The poll, by the hair transplant centre Crown Clinic found most men start to describe themselves as “happy” and “content” rather than “stressed” and “self-conscious” at 54.
Men are also waiting longer before having children, according to the poll. The average age of first-time fathers in the UK has increased by two years since the 1990s, with a first child now likely to arrive when the father is aged 32.
Crown Clinic surgeon Dr Asim Shahmalak said: “We are all living far longer and, with living costs spiralling and fatherhood being put off by so many, men are inevitably going to take longer to feel settled.”
TOP TEN MALE INSECURITIES
I will never be able to pay off my mortgage or afford a home.
Losing my hair.
Being unemployed.
Being single.
Greying hair.
Double chin.
Man boobs.
Not being able to afford to retire.
Ill health.
Being overweight. - Daily Mail