Jung Jun-sung's Women's Happiness (343) Light and Shadow of the Age of No Confusion

'Age 40' has another name: 'the age of no confusion' (不惑).

It means an age unswayed by temptation.

It also signifies that reason and moral values have been formed, and one knows how to control improper desires.

Though Confucius expounded this in a distant past when lifespans were short, it is a truth that all have understood.

However, it is not so easy for ordinary people in their 40s with strong possessive desires to achieve such clarity.

With ambition taking precedence, it is common to put on airs without substance or real ability.

Thus, some call the 40s an age of false bravado (虛張聲勢).

Not everyone is like this, but it is not unrelated to the harsh realities of the world.

In any case, this age of no confusion has long played a pivotal role in our society.

Precisely because for the past decade, people in their 40s have occupied the median age group.

Median age is the value at the middle position when the entire population is lined up according to age.

Recent statistics show that the average debt of those in their 40s is 120 million to 140 million won.

It is said to be the highest among all age groups.

For reference, this far exceeds the level of 80 million to 110 million won for those in their 30s and 50s.

While there are various factors such as housing loans, this is sufficient to reveal the sad true face of the generation.

The 40s are an age where suicide rates are sharply increasing and obesity rates are rising day by day.

On the other hand, the participation rate in social organizations has fallen 8.9 percent compared to the previous year.

Furthermore, the stress recognition rate is highest among those in their 40s at 35.1 percent. (Refer to the 'Quality of Life of the Korean People 2025' report recently published by the National Data Institute)

While there may be various causes, it is regrettable.

The center is the waist.

If cold-related back pain is severe, loss of vitality is inevitable.

If people suffer this, what of the vital energy of the nation?

The role of government is needed now more than ever for the future of the Republic of Korea.