Careers Quote by Warren Farrell
“When a man is forced into early retirement, he is often being 'given up for a younger man.' Being forced into early retirement can be to a man what being 'given up for a younger woman' is for a woman... Why do many men get more upset by retirement than women do from the empty nest when their children leave home? When females retire from children, they can try a career; when a man retires from a career, his children are gone.”
About This Quote
Source Article: Gender differences in retirement experiences, 2015
Men often view early retirement as loss of identity tied to career, while women may see it as opportunity, leading to stronger emotional upset in men.
In simple terms: Retirement can threaten men's sense of purpose.
Key Takeaway
Provide support that acknowledges identity loss.
Themes
career
identity
gender roles
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
advisory
motivational
When to use this quote
- career counseling
- post‑retirement planning
- family dynamics
Key Concepts
psychology
sociology
life transitions
Questions to Reflect On
- What activities can replace career identity?
- How can societies better support retiring men?
A Different Perspective
Men may also find fulfillment beyond work, mitigating upset.
![“Obviously, I think this [162 games a year four times] caused my early retirement, but I couldn't do it any other way. Just for the record, I never asked for any of the days off in my career.” quote by Prince Fielder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/26b/prince-fielder-13291_careers_obviously-i-think-this-162-games-a-year_522956.jpg)
![“In Stage I, divorces were not allowed, so men's [sexual] affairs did not put women's economic security in jeopardy; in Stage II, affairs could lead to divorce, so men's affairs did place women's economic security in jeopardy. We did not want political leaders who would be role models for behavior…” quote by Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ff0/warren-farrell-1187_affair_in-stage-i-divorces-were-not-allowed-so_94551.jpg)
![“I don't like being away from home. That's one reason why I don't work as much as I used to [when I started my career], because so many things are on the road. I just don't want to be away from my husband, my dogs and my home. I don't sing that much any more because that also takes you on the road.” quote by Jane Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07c/jane-powell-36243_away_i-don-t-like-being-away-from-home-that-s_278.jpg)
![“The only regret I have in my career, is my managers wanted a big payday, and I wanted four or five more fights before going in with [Larry] Holmes. That would have made all the difference.” quote by Gerry Cooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d63/gerry-cooney-20863_bigs_the-only-regret-i-have-in-my-career-is-m_1534.jpg)
![“The young man [Turgot] destined for an ecclesiastical career was placed within walls carefully designed to keep out all currents of new thought; his studies, his reading, his professors, his associates, all were combined to keep from him any results of observation or reflection save those…” quote by Andrew Dickson White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5d4/andrew-dickson-white-24254_associates_the-young-man-turgot-destined-for-an-ecc_3146.jpg)
