CHAPTER
12
For most
people,
adulthood is the
time to try to
bring everything
learned in
childhood and
adolescence
together into a
whole.
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Adulthood
and Aging
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Early Adulthood (20-39)
Most people get married, but 50%
of those couples get divorced.
Mutual respect is key for a happy
marriage.
Women assume more of the family obligations, although
men are slowly doing more (up from 20 to 25% of
housework and childcare).
The American family is changing. Less than 10% of the
American population is made up of married couples
with children with only the father employed.
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Midlife Transition
In their late 30s and early 40s, people begin to
reexamine their lives.
They look at such issues as
What to do with the remaining years of life
One’s physical condition and normal aging
Parents are getting older and may need care
Demands of children are growing
The uncertainty of life
This time may lead to marital refocusing or to crisis.
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Middle Adulthood (40-59)
Not everyone experiences difficulties. Some common
factors include
1. Generally, men become more expressive and
women become more independent and assertive.
This may lead to low marital satisfaction.
2. For women who have had few outside contacts,
empty-nest syndrome may occur when the
children have left the home.
3. In the late 40s most women begin to experience
menopause. Psychological problems associated
with this change have been exaggerated.
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Late Adulthood (60 and older)
Gerontology is the study of aging and the
problems of the aged.
By the year 2030, 1 in 5
people will be over 65
years old. Contrary to
stereotypes, a serious
decline in mental ability is
not a factor of aging.
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The Aging Process
The lifespan for each species is preprogrammed.
Body cells begin to break down after a fixed length
of time.
Memory may be impaired as the ability of cells to
communicate begins to weaken.
Older people are more prone to disease and injury,
often a result of poor nutrition.
Anxiety and depression may result because of
frustration from memory problems.
Common problems include senile dementia and
Alzheimer’s disease.
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Concerns in Late Adulthood
Achievement
Retirement
Institutionalization
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more
information.
Isolation and Bereavement
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Concerns in Late Adulthood
Achievement
Retirement
Institutionalization
The elderly can
continue to make
important
contributions.
Aging is not all
gloom and doom.
Isolation and Bereavement
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Concerns in Late Adulthood
Achievement
Retirement
Institutionalization
Despite the
stereotypes, most
people adjust well
to retirement.
Isolation and Bereavement
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Concerns in Late Adulthood
Achievement
Retirement
Institutionalization
Only about 5% of
older people live in
institutions.
Well-run institutions
can be positive
factors in older lives.
Isolation and Bereavement
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Concerns in Late Adulthood
Achievement
Retirement
Institutionalization
Social isolation is a
fear (but fortunately
not a reality) for
older people.
Women live longer
than men, which
means time alone.
Isolation and Bereavement
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Thanatology
(the study of death)
Terminally ill people are most afraid of
loss of mastery over themselves
separation from loved ones
the thought of being replaced by another
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Kübler-Ross’s Stages of Dying
People who are terminally ill go through a series of stages as
they approach death. Some of the stages can be legitimate
expressions of other concerns, however. The stages are:
Denial
Bargaining
with God
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Anger
Depression
Acceptance
of death
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Summary of Main
Topics Covered
Early Adulthood
Midlife Transition
Middle Adulthood
Late Adulthood
The Aging Process
Thanatology
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