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There are unique stages to life, each with an underlying organization, and each having its own separate set of issues and dynamics. At each stage of life we are experiencing pressures to complete work that is both socially and biologically driven. Our culture may determine age-graded expectations, i.e. when we should become independent from families of origin; when we should be working full time, or getting married, etc. The overarching concerns unique to each life-stage have not changed all that much over time. Young people in later adolescence still are wondering” who am I?” and “where do I belong in this adult world?” They are exploring their sexual/gender and ethnic identity. They still see the hypocrisy on display in authority figures, and meanwhile they are developing their own, more firm moral compass. How these identity questions get resolved depends partly on access to cultural, economic and educational resources. Even political stability in a country will influence a person’s active engagement with the tasks in a particular life-stage. (For example, consider when there is high unemployment or underemployment of young people. We all know that a set of work skills are needed to successfully enter the adult world.)
In Early Adulthood, roughly ages 24-34, young adults are concerned about developing intimate relationships and commitments, even beginning families, creating a sustainable lifestyle and having meaningful work or receiving training.
In Middle Adulthood we are extraordinarily busy managing a work or career life, maintaining our family/home life on an even keel, maybe parenting and beginning to care for aging parents. Folks in middle adulthood have to do an extraordinary amount of anticipating for the future of many people including their children, their other family members and even their own lives. The key question for those in Middle adulthood is focused around the question of ‘generativity’, i.e. caring for the next generation in some way. Or are we merely concerned for our own well being and accumulation of things, status, money etc.. Have we become stagnant? With even a small foundation in lifespan psychology, we, as ombudspersons, can begin to ask ourselves other kinds of questions, such as, “what is behind the emotion and energy invested in the problem presented?” “Is the visitor to the Ombuds office in Later adolescence, and is their very identity being threatened in this particular conflict?” And,” Is the other person in the conflict in a different life-stage, i.e. Middle adulthood, and more concerned that somehow what they have to offer is not being heard or appreciated?” Each of these questions are related to the fundamental existential questions of each life-stage. By understanding development we can have more empathy for the visitors and the issues they present. Often times the drama and tension which underlie a particular problem has as much to do with the concerns normal to the particular life-stage of the visitor. The issues can represent the struggles we all have had to deal with in our own lives.
The key to making sense of these lifespan themes and using them effectively in our work is to keep reading, talking and considering them. A life-stage paradigm can then become second nature as you hear the presenting problem(s) and concern(s) of our visitors. You are then beginning to listen with what I call, “The Third Ear”. Below is just a brief list of some readings one could begin with.
References:
Cohen, Patricia,(June, 2012 ). In Midlife, Boomers are Happy-and Suicidal. New York Times,
Erikson,E.H., Erickson, J.M., & Kivnick, H.Q. (1986). Vital Involvement in Old Age. New York: Norton.
Erikson, E.H.,(1968). Identity Youth and Crisis. New York : Norton.
Henig,Robin.,( 2012, Aug 5). What is it about the 20-Somethings? New York Times, M M 28-38.
Klinenberg,Eric.( 2012, February 4). One’s a Crowd: Research on Americans Living Alone. New York Times, p. SR4.
Marx,Patricia ( 2012, Oct. 10). “The Golden Years: How will boomers handle retirement?” New Yorker Magazine
In Early Adulthood, roughly ages 24-34, young adults are concerned about developing intimate relationships and commitments, even beginning families, creating a sustainable lifestyle and having meaningful work or receiving training.
In Middle Adulthood we are extraordinarily busy managing a work or career life, maintaining our family/home life on an even keel, maybe parenting and beginning to care for aging parents. Folks in middle adulthood have to do an extraordinary amount of anticipating for the future of many people including their children, their other family members and even their own lives. The key question for those in Middle adulthood is focused around the question of ‘generativity’, i.e. caring for the next generation in some way. Or are we merely concerned for our own well being and accumulation of things, status, money etc.. Have we become stagnant? With even a small foundation in lifespan psychology, we, as ombudspersons, can begin to ask ourselves other kinds of questions, such as, “what is behind the emotion and energy invested in the problem presented?” “Is the visitor to the Ombuds office in Later adolescence, and is their very identity being threatened in this particular conflict?” And,” Is the other person in the conflict in a different life-stage, i.e. Middle adulthood, and more concerned that somehow what they have to offer is not being heard or appreciated?” Each of these questions are related to the fundamental existential questions of each life-stage. By understanding development we can have more empathy for the visitors and the issues they present. Often times the drama and tension which underlie a particular problem has as much to do with the concerns normal to the particular life-stage of the visitor. The issues can represent the struggles we all have had to deal with in our own lives.
The key to making sense of these lifespan themes and using them effectively in our work is to keep reading, talking and considering them. A life-stage paradigm can then become second nature as you hear the presenting problem(s) and concern(s) of our visitors. You are then beginning to listen with what I call, “The Third Ear”. Below is just a brief list of some readings one could begin with.
References:
Cohen, Patricia,(June, 2012 ). In Midlife, Boomers are Happy-and Suicidal. New York Times,
Erikson,E.H., Erickson, J.M., & Kivnick, H.Q. (1986). Vital Involvement in Old Age. New York: Norton.
Erikson, E.H.,(1968). Identity Youth and Crisis. New York : Norton.
Henig,Robin.,( 2012, Aug 5). What is it about the 20-Somethings? New York Times, M M 28-38.
Klinenberg,Eric.( 2012, February 4). One’s a Crowd: Research on Americans Living Alone. New York Times, p. SR4.
Marx,Patricia ( 2012, Oct. 10). “The Golden Years: How will boomers handle retirement?” New Yorker Magazine
