As for the lifespan... I have never played on "normal", but it seems it is balanced for that. You have to remember that an "Aspiration" is not some kind of whim, it is your ultimate goal in life. Just like with careers, you have to actually WORK for it. Not just sleep through it while making "cute" choices that you like. If you want to fulfill your child's ambition to be an "artistic prodigy" you better force the tyke to draw three paintings a day.
Just like in real life. But I find many people here are not interested in "realism", they just SAY they are.
On LONG lifespan, the problem is the opposite though. You can easily fulfill two+ aspirations per lifestage. Which have made me have to nerf myself:
Children only get two. More feels... cheap-
Teens don't get any (well they get their first "adult" one but I don't work for it, at all).
Young adults get to fulfill the one they got as teenagers.
Adults get to fulfill another one that fit their traits.
Seniors get one, but I never work for it, at all.
