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Social & Emotional Development in Middle
Adulthood
Balancing Work and Family
Erikson’s Theory & Midlife
• Generativity vs Stagnation
• Commitment expands beyond self (identity) and partner (intimacy) to larger group
• Gen- everything that can outlive the self and ensure improvement
• Stag- unable to contribute b/c of self-centeredness and self-indulgence
Levinson’s Seasons of Life
• Midlife Transition– ~40 yrs success evaluation, precious
remaining years– Advancement & Growth at work?– For some, inner pressure to change life path
Levinson’s Seasons of Life:Modifying ones life structure
(Gender Differences & Similarities)
• Acceptance with age & creating youth-age balance– Physical changes, illness, aging parents– Due to double standard of aging, women find it
harder to accept
• Confront own mortality and increase awareness of others’ destructive behavior
Levinson’s Seasons of Life:Modifying ones life structure
(Gender Differences & Similarities)• Reconciling feminine & masculine parts
of self– Men: more accepting of “feminine” traits
such as nurturance & caring– Women: more open to “masculine” traits of
autonomy, dominance, & assertiveness
• Will this be true when you’re in middle adulthood?
Is there a MIDLIFE CRISIS?
• What is it?
• "I'm looking forward to pursuing the career I always wanted,“
• "I'm tired of just working on other people's visions, rather than my own, even if I have to start on a smaller scale."
Is there a MIDLIFE CRISIS?
• Intense self-doubt lead to drastic changes in personal life and career
• 70-80% vs. 10%• Most don’t experience it, though wide
differences in response to midlife• Sudden changes to outsiders may not truly be
“sudden”• For many-sense of confidence &
accomplishment
Divorce