The Adult in society Chapter 7

Early and Middle Adulthood The patterns of adult males and females in American society are somewhat different. For women, they enter the labor force, take time out to have children, and then they may go back to work after the children are grown, For men, they typically remain in the workforce for most of their adulthood.

Early and Middle Adulthood The Adult Male Psychologist Daniel Levinson and his colleagues at Yale University did an intensive long-term study of the adult male developmental stages. Levinson and his colleagues determined each man’s life structure. They were able to distinguish a pattern for most men. A life structure is the combination of statuses, roles, activities, goals, values, beliefs, and life circumstances that characterize an individual.

Early and Middle Adulthood The Adult Male Levinson and his colleagues concluded that there are three basic eras of adulthood: Early adulthood Middle adulthood Late adulthood Each era begins with a transitional period followed by alternating stable and transitional periods. Transitional periods last 4-5 years Stable periods last 6-8

Early and Middle Adulthood The Adult Male Levinson placed the greatest stress on the first five periods of adulthood: Early adult transition Entering the adult world The age 30 transition Settling down Midlife transition

Early and Middle Adulthood The Adult Male The Early Adult Transition Early adulthood is the period between the ages of 17 – 22. This period is the bridge between adolescence and adulthood. The most important tasks of this period include: Leaving home (physically and psychologically) Going to college or getting a job Moving out of the parent’s home However some may remain living at home.

Early and Middle Adulthood The Adult Male Entering the Adult World The next stage in early adulthood is called entering the adult world. The typically occurs between the ages of 23 – 27. During this stage some individuals explore a variety of relationships and career opportunities. Others during this stage become a responsible member of society and form a stable life structure

Early and Middle Adulthood The Adult Male The Age 30 Transition Form many people this occurs between the ages of 28 – 32. This is often a difficult period. People tend to look back at their life choices at this point. Divorces are common during this period as individuals reevaluate their life and current commitments. Sound choices during this time provide a firm foundation for future development, while poor choices have far reaching consequences.

Early and Middle Adulthood The Adult Male Levinson referred to the first three periods of the early adulthood era as the novice phase. This is the time where men prepare for entry into the adult world. Their major task during this phase is to make a place for themselves in the adult world and to construct a life structure that fits them and works in the adult world.

Early and Middle Adulthood The Adult Male The Settling Down Period The last stage of early adulthood is the settling down period. This typically occurs between the ages of 33 – 39. During this period individuals form true commitments to things such as: Work Family Leisure Friendship community.

Early and Middle Adulthood The Adult Male; The Settling Down Period cont’ Near the end of the settling down period, men come to realize how much they rely on others as role models for guidance. Levinson says they begin efforts to establish their own identities Levinson refers to this as Becoming Ones Own Man (B.O.O.M.) The first step of this process typically involves separating oneself from a mentor. A mentor is someone who fosters an individual’s development by believing in the person, sharing their dreams, and helping them achieve those dreams.

Early and Middle Adulthood The Adult Male The Midlife Transition The first stage of the midlife transition is between 40 – 44. The is a bridge between early and middle adulthood and is characterized by self-examination. 80% of Levinson’s subjects went through a period of “midlife crisis” due the pressure of unattainable dreams and the possibility of death becoming more real. These men experienced conflict internally and with those around them.

Early and Middle Adulthood Levinson did another study, but this time with women. He determined men and women go through the same stages of adulthood, however men and women differ in their terms of their social roles and identities.

Early and Middle Adulthood Irene Frieze and Esther Sales did a study to say argue that differences do exist in the male and female stages of adulthood. They broke the female adulthood development into the following stages: Leaving the family Entering the adult world Entering the adult world again

Early and Middle Adulthood Adult Female Development Leaving the Family Like men, this involves physically breaking away from parents and developing a life plan. However for many women the emphasis is more on marriage than it is a career. Some consider both as part of their life plan Many times the husband’s career takes priority over the woman’s and this is distinguishing factor of female adult development

Early and Middle Adulthood Adult Female Development Entering the Adult World Age for a woman’s first marriage has risen a lot since the 1960’s. Most women do marry and become mother’s in their 20’s. Many women find balancing motherhood and working doable, but can put an added strain on women. About 59% of new mothers return to the workforce before their children reach the age of 1 Job advancement possibilities become limited when women leave the workforce to have children

Early and Middle Adulthood Adult Female Development Entering the workforce again once children reach school age is the third phase of adult female development. Fewer obligations at home make working a better possibility.

The World of Work American workers often spend nearly 50 years in the labor force, making the world of work one of the most important components of adult life. The composition of the labor force and the nature of work has changed greatly over the last 100 years. According to opinion polls and social science research, most Americans report being satisfied with their jobs.

The World of Work Work Work involves performing all of the tasks necessary to produce goods and provide services that meet human needs. The basis for the economy Typical individual will spend about 50 years in the labor force

The World of Work Composition of Labor Force Recent decades have seen increase in number of working women Women hold just over half of professional jobs—high-status occupations that require specialized skills and knowledge obtained through formal education Fastest growing minority group, Hispanics, are increasing in labor force, too

Occupations

The World of Work Unemployment Unemployment occurs when a person does not have a job but is actively seeking employment Unemployment rate is the percentage of the civilian labor force that is unemployed but actively seeking employment Unemployment rate varies across social groups Five percent unemployment considered acceptable in the United States

The World of Work In 1900: In 1950: 35 percent worked in agriculture 45 percent worked in manufacturing 20 percent worked in professions, management, office work, and sales In 1950: Manufacturing dominated

The World of Work Today: Globalization 13 percent work in agriculture and manufacturing 76 percent work in professions, management, office work, and sales Globalization New technology has changed the economy. Many manufacturing jobs have been outsourced, or sent to countries where labor is less expensive.

The World of Work Job Satisfaction: 42 percent said they were “very satisfied” with their jobs. 38 percent said they were “somewhat satisfied.”

The World of Work Factors for satisfaction Factors for dissatisfaction Interesting nature of their work Salary Working hours Workplace safety Relations with co-workers Factors for dissatisfaction On the job stress Income Lack of chance for promotion Lack of benefits

The World of Work Job and career changes Changing jobs and/or careers is a well-established pattern in the United States Average worker changes companies nine times, careers five to six times

The Later Years The Later Years Social development continues throughout adulthood and well into the final stages of life. People age 65 and older make up the fastest growing segment of the world’s population. Older Americans face many challenges, including physical and mental decline, dependency, and death. For many aging Americans, retirement opens up a new world full of freedom and new opportunities for growth and change.

The Later Years Changes in Late Adulthood Statistics Age 65 and older: 11 percent of U.S. population in 1980; over 12 percent in 2000; projected to be 20 percent by 2030

The Later Years Adjustment to Retirement Retirement involves loss of role and status associated with a particular job as well as with being a working adult. Some are greatly bothered by this loss; others rank it as low stress. Factors such as income, health, social networks, and identity affect a person’s adjustment to retirement. Loss of independence can have negative consequences.

The Later Years Physical and Mental Functioning Aging involves the weakening and slowing of body processes. Intellectual ability declines very little. Alzheimer’s disease is a leading form of dementia.

The Later Years Retirement is often accompanied by a feeling of freedom. Free time to try new things, travel, attend college, pursue activities such as crafts, golf, or gardening, or become politically active Begin second or volunteer career Individuals who have planned for retirement have a better position to take advantage of the opportunities in this period of life. Financial planning Broadening one’s interests Developing hobbies Taking care of one’s health

The Later Years Challenging Stereotypes about the Aging According to popular wisdom, as people grow older, they grow more rigid in their habits and more conservative in their social and political thinking. But is this true? Stereotypes about older people becoming more conservative have been proven inaccurate by studies. In fact, older people grow more liberal on many subjects.

The Later Years One possible explanation is that as society has become less conservative about topics such as race relations or premarital sex, the difference is more noticeable in older respondents. Results show that people’s attitudes grow and change throughout their lives.