Learning Goal: I’m working on a writing practice test / quiz and need the explanation and answer to help me learn.
COMMNET THIS ARTICLE AND REPOSNE TO THE LEARNES
Aspects of Middle Adulthood
Susan brings a coffee over to Bob, Tyler’s father, who is deep in conversation with a friend of his.
“I’ve finally gotten pretty good in my role as a father and don’t worry anymore what my own dad thinks,” says Bob Washington. “I do worry about my girls. Emma is so sure that Ava killed Mercury that it’s nothing but constant fighting. Sisters should be friends. There’s no way Ava killed anything; she’s way too gentle. Now, my dad and Liam were up to something that night, and neither will tell me anything about it.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it,” his friend says. “Emma’s a teenager; they’re just like that.”
“I know,” Bob says. “But my wife is getting even more stressed, and I hate to see that happen.”
As we explore middle adulthood this week, think about this short conversation. What aspects of middle adulthood is Bob showing?
LEARNER 1—
What I found interesting in this week’s readings is the topic of women entering their early forties. Women began to show concern for the young and the old, reflection, an interest in ancestry, and awareness of mortality (Santrock, 2021). Researchers from the Mills College Study concluded that women were experiencing midlife consciousness rather than a midlife crisis (Santrock, 2021). Women were shown to be more able to manage their impulses, develop interpersonal skills, become autonomous, and work obstinately to attain goals when they were committed to the responsibilities of early adulthood, including family and career (Santrock, 2021). Women who did not commit to one of these living styles encountered fewer difficulties and did not mature as thoroughly as the other women (Rosenfield & Stark, 1987). According to the Mills College Study, some women established themselves as “pillars of society” in their early forties or fifties. An empty nest, menopause, and caring for elderly parents were not linked to improved responsibility and restraint (Helson & Wink, 1992).
This is great; I believe this is what the wives of old tales meant when they stated that raising a family and being a woman are the only things in life that are genuinely fulfilling. It enriches the lives of the people you care about the most, strengthens your bones, and makes you joyful and fulfilled. My grandma said that science is only now catching up to what our ancestors had always known when I told her about this. This holds true for my life. I want to know if this is true for the women; what do you think? And for the men, did you grow up in this kind of nurturing environment, and if not, how did it affect you? What can we do to help our men and women become better family and community members?
LEARNER 2–It is very easy to see why many people have what they call a ‘midlife crisis’. One part of our reading that definitely is relatable is how quickly time seems to go as you age. It really does fly! My husband and I are both 30 and thinking a lot about the next stage in life, as we of course don’t want to look back with regret. All the reading about health issues struck a chord for me, personally, as i’m only 30 and am already dealing with a massive amount of health conditions. I’m determined and hopeful to work on our health and improve our future, as it sure does sneak up so quickly!
