A recent BMRB-TGI survey states that there are now 5.3 million more adults in the UK than there were thirty years ago. At that time, one-third were in pro- fessional occupations; today, two-thirds are in professional occupations. Simi- larly, thirty years ago, 12% went to university while today, 25% go to university. Two-thirds of the population have no children living at home. Twenty-two per cent of housing stock is used by single adults, due to the rise of divorce and single parenting. There have been major increases in home ownership. Part- time working is more prevalent, especially amongst women, and 76% of adults have access to a car. Over one-third of adults have two or more cars.
It used to be that people over 50 were old, and people under 30 were young. Throughout much of Europe and North America, women are now delaying childbirth until their thirties or forties. The arrival of Leo Blair in 2000, to a forty-something mother, set the seal of respectability on older motherhood. Adults are running around in tennis shoes and shorts, working out at the gym in an attempt to delay some of the normal ravages of ageing - and having 24 plastic surgery to mask much of the rest. The fashion industry has been forced to redesign its "youth" fashions to fit the bodies of the middle-aged men and women who continue to wear them, rather than adopting more "grown-up" fashions. Take Marks & Spencers recent attempt to revitalise its image - "I'm size 16 and I'm normal!", or Levi's recent adverts featuring a 75-year-old woman wearing jeans. Men and women in their 70s and 80s are remaining physically (even sexually) active, travelling the world, and are sometimes involved in running companies - and countries.