Chapter 7 The Adult in Society

What do you think?? How might adulthood compare and contrast to adolescence? How might men and women experience adulthood differently?

What do you think about these different groups??? 1.Guess the age 2.Characteristics of that stage of life. 3.How society views the age group 4.Stereotypes of groups?

Adult Male Development: Psychologist Daniel Levinson studied adult male development: ▫Life Structure: the combination of status, roles, activities, goals, values, beliefs, and life circumstances that characterize an individual.

Did You Know? In 2000, about 25% of all young adults in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 34 lived with one or more of their parents. At the same time, about 41% of Americans under the age of 35 owned their homes. What might these statistics illustrate about the process of becoming an adult?

3 basic eras of adulthood: 1.Early adulthood (17-39) 2. Middle adulthood (40-59) 3. Late adulthood (60+)

The Early Adult Transition years old Bridge between adolescence and adulthood Biggest challenge: leaving home !

Entering the Adult World years old Challenge: Managing relationships and career opportunities. Dream of adult accomplishment!

The Age 30 Transition: years old Divorce is common ▫Shifts in direction

These 3 periods are called… Novice phase: ▫Term proposed by Daniel Levinson and his colleagues for the first three stages of the early adulthood era.

Did You Know?? What might explain gender differences in conversation???

The Settling Down Period: Ages “Making It” in the adult world. B.O.O.M. ▫Becoming One’s Own Man ▫Establish their own identity ▫Separate from mentor:  Someone who fosters an individuals’ development by believing in the person, sharing the person’s dreams, and helping the person achieve those dreams.

The Midlife Transition: Ages Characterized by self-examination Experience internal conflict ▫EX: concept of death ▫Work through crisis by mentoring!

ADULT FEMALE DEVELOPMENT

Adult FEMALE Development: Levinson found men and women go through same stages, but differ in terms of their social roles! Leads to 3 main stages for women: ▫Leaving the Family ▫Entering the Adult World ▫Entering the Adult World Again

Phase I: Leaving the Family When leave home, main emphasis is on marriage over career. ▫(Even when plan to do both)

Phase II: Entering the Adult World Average age of females when marry: ▫25.1 years old Average age of males when marry: ▫26.8 years old Women’s job advancements: ▫Limited when remain out of labor force while children are young.

Phase III: Entering the Adult World AGAIN Once children reach school ages, mothers who left labor force AGAIN seek employment. Results: ▫Many Americans are choosing to NOT marry.  Dropped 30% since 1960s. ▫1/3 of all working couples:  Wife earns more than husband.

The Labor Force: Labor force: ▫Consist of all individuals age 16 and older who are employed in paid positions or who are seeking paid employment.  Ex: Homemakers are NOT part of labor force.

Composition: Jobs are changing: ▫ More women working today!  Now hold about half of professional jobs in U.S ▫More minorities (Esp. Hispanics) are working in U.S. ▫More American workers have higher level of education.  About 1/3 of labor force has college degree. Profession: ▫A high-status occupation that requires specialized skills obtained through formal education.  EX: Lawyer, teacher, engineer, dentist, etc….

Unemployment: ▫Situation that occurs when a person does NOT have a job but is actively seeking employment. Unemployment rate:  Percentage of the civilian labor force that is unemployed but actively seeking employment.  95%:  Considered to have achieved full employment, since impossible to employ every adult member of society.

Occupations: Read the list of occupations on P ▫Who do you know in each of these categories? Review the chart “Distribution of Employed Persons by Occupational Category” at the bottom of the page. ▫Does the information presented in this chart accurately represent the working world?

A New Labor Pool Read the “Applying Sociology” section on P Be able to answer questions #1-2. Spotlight on Sweatshops: Q

The Changing Nature of Work Changes in the Nature of Work and the Labor Force Farming and Manufact uring Women Education Minoriti es

Job Satisfaction: Majority of Americans are satisfied with their jobs! ▫Especially if made more money/older workers.

Contributions to job satisfaction Had control over work Used their skills and talents Received recognition and appreciation Felt safe at work Good relations with co-workers Flexible hours Job security

Unhappy workers  On-the-job stress Low income Low chances of promotion Insufficient health insurance/retirement plans.

Solutions: Find a new job! years old18-34 years old: ▫American workers hold about 9 jobs. Moving from job to job… ▫A well-established practice among American workers

Gender and Job Preference 1.Very interested in a career with opportunities to help others?YESNO 2.Very interested in working with people? YESNO 3.Very interested in leading?YESNO 4.Very interested in making money?YESNO

Did you know? How does gender affect job choice? A 1984 survey of high schoolers examined this issue and found significant differences in what young men and women hope for in a job. Women were more likely to want jobs where they could work with and help others. Men were more interested in jobs where they could make money and obtain leadership.

People 65+  Fastest growing segment of world’ population. Gerontology: ▫The scientific study of the processes and phenomena of aging. Social gerontology: ▫Studies the nonphysical aspects of aging.  EX: Emotions/Psychological effects

Graying of America The population of the United States continues to age. In 1850 the median age of Americans was 18.9 years of age. By 1999 the median age had increased to 35.5 years. By 2025 the median age of Americans is expected to rise to 38.5 years. Gwhttp:// Gw

65+…placed in 3 groups: 1.Young-old Interesting in studying adjustment to retirement. 2. Middle-old Health issues/Death 3.Old-Old: 85+ Health issues/Death

Adjustment to Retirement: If happy and well adjusted in working lives, then will enjoy retirement. NOTIf NOT happy and NOT well adjusted in working lives, then will NOT enjoy retirement. Income, health, social networks, and identity affect adjustment to retirement.

Physical and Mental Functioning: Slower at older age: ▫Body cells begin to die. ▫Muscles/tissues shrink ▫Nervous system slower. ▫Organs slow down However, most remain mentally alert.

Alzheimer’s Disease: “Old Timers” disease Organic condition that results in progressive deterioration of brain cells. Early stage: Can’t remember current events. Eventually: Trouble with simple tasks. Later stages: eyesight, speech, and muscle coordination fail. Final stages: Childlike state and no control of bodily functions.

Dealing with Dependency and Death Dependency: ▫Shift from being an independent adult to being dependent on others for physical or financial assistance. ▫EX: Parent-child reversal

Older people have lower levels of fear of death: Feel have less to lose Feel “living on borrowed time.” Death of friends and family members

New Opportunities: More time to… ▫Travel ▫Activities ▫College class ▫AARP  American Association of Retired Persons ▫2 nd career (Pay or volunteer)