I read George Vallant's book Aging Well a year or two ago, and today I picked it up for a refresher. I was first introduced to him in a class on Adult Development over thirty years ago. He was the author of one of the texts, Adaptation to Life. I loved the study and the whole concept of development continuing after childhood.
I had children and watched their development cheering when they took first steps, learned to read, and entered adulthood. In all the concern for my growing children, I neglected to note my own development until I took the class. Some things I did out of order. I was taking the class when I was already past 45. I could evaluate some of the adult sequences in my own life, but I had just finished my Bachelor's degree.
The professor, Dr. Lundberg, suggested there may be stages that extend beyond the 60-65 year age bracket, but they had not been studied or defined yet. My interest in adult development continued until I found myself in the vast desert that lies beyond retirement. To my amazement George Vallant was still actively researching and writing about developmental stages.
I love his new stages! They offer hope, challenge, and fulfillment for those of us who, like me, are still trying to grow up. Generativity is one of the stages defined by Erik Erikson. It usually begins in middle adulthood when we have learned things we want to pass on to the next generation. We mentor others to spread the joy of our activities. I enjoy teaching people to make bread and kites. And, of course, there's writing. I love to share something of the journey, the memories, the insights.
What have you learned that you want to share and pass on?
I had children and watched their development cheering when they took first steps, learned to read, and entered adulthood. In all the concern for my growing children, I neglected to note my own development until I took the class. Some things I did out of order. I was taking the class when I was already past 45. I could evaluate some of the adult sequences in my own life, but I had just finished my Bachelor's degree.
The professor, Dr. Lundberg, suggested there may be stages that extend beyond the 60-65 year age bracket, but they had not been studied or defined yet. My interest in adult development continued until I found myself in the vast desert that lies beyond retirement. To my amazement George Vallant was still actively researching and writing about developmental stages.
I love his new stages! They offer hope, challenge, and fulfillment for those of us who, like me, are still trying to grow up. Generativity is one of the stages defined by Erik Erikson. It usually begins in middle adulthood when we have learned things we want to pass on to the next generation. We mentor others to spread the joy of our activities. I enjoy teaching people to make bread and kites. And, of course, there's writing. I love to share something of the journey, the memories, the insights.
What have you learned that you want to share and pass on?
