1. Sociology: Chapter 6 Sec 1
“The Adult in Society”
“Early and Middle Adulthood”

2. Adult Male Development
Daniel Levinson
-Research: 40 Men; Age 35-45
-Participants chosen from a wide socioeconomic status
-Tried to determine Life Structure
Life Structure: combination of statuses, roles, activities, goals, values, beliefs, and life circumstances that characterize the individual

3. Three Eras of Adulthood
1. Early, Middle, Late Adulthood
*Broken into five distinct periods
1. Early adult transition
2. Entering the Adult World
3. The age 30 Transition
4. The settling down period
5. The midlife transition

4. Early Adult Transition
Age 17-22
Bridge between adolescence and adulthood
Most important task is leaving home physically and mentally
Entering the Adult World:
Age 23-27
-Must form stable life structure
-Must explore variety of relationships and career opportunity

5. The Age 30 Transition Age 28-32
-Look back at choices made to this point
-Divorces are common during this period
-Often characterized by SHIFT in direction
Novice Phase:
First three periods of early adulthood

6. Adult Female Development
Levinson said that his findings applied to women, too
Irene Frieze and Esther Sales disagreed
Came up with a three phase system for females
Phase I: Leaving the Family
Emphasis less on career and more on marriage

7. Adult Female Development
Phase II: Entering the Adult World
Avg. Marriage age: Men 27.1 Women 25.3
Job options become limited as women tend to remain out of the labor force while children are young
Phase III: Entering the adult world again
After children grow up and leave, women begin to re-enter the job world by pursuing careers

8. Sociology: Chapter 6 Sec 2
“The World of Work”

9. The Labor Force
1. Labor Force: consists of all individuals, 16 or over, who are employed in paid positions or are actively seeking employment
-Composition:
2010: Women will make up 58% of labor force
2. Profession: High status occupation that requires specialized skills obtained through formal education
3. Unemployment: Person that does not have a job but is actively seeking one
4. Unemployment Rate: % of civilian workforce that is Unemployed… see occupations p. 158

10. Sociology; Chapter 6 Sec 3
“The Later Years”

11. Gerontology
1. Gerontology: scientific study of the processes and phenomena of aging
2. Social Gerontology: Study of nonphysical aspects of the aging process
3. Young-Old: age 65-74
4. Middle-Old: age 75-84
5. Old-Old: ages 85 older
6. Alzheimer’s Disease: organic condition that results in the progressive deterioration of the brain cells (last 8-10 years until death)
7. Dependency: Shift from being an independent adult to being one in need of outside help/care

12. Organizations for Older People
Gray Panthers
American Association of Retired Persons
AARP
Lobby groups
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
Service Corps. Of Retired Executives
Offer time to help small business
Euthanasia: Mercy Killing