Dec 3 The Middle Years of the Family

Question 1

stressors

Answer 1

life events that can produce change in a family, ex. parenthood, death, health concerns, success of children

Question 2

generativity

Answer 2

a focus on one’s legacy, the concern for establishing and guiding the next generation, a central factor is having children and wanting to pass on something of value to younger generations, ex. raising kids, mentoring, community work, art, family histories

Question 3

midlife crisis

Answer 3

extreme strain as a person re-evaluates life, a few try to recapture their youth but most go on a quest for meaning in life

Question 4

empty nest syndrome

Answer 4

depression and a sense of uselessness when the last child leaves home

Question 5

What are the main criteria for adulthood?

Answer 5

• accepting responsibility for oneself
• making independent decisions
• becoming financially self-supporting
• ability to take care of parents, ex. Asian cultures

Question 6

emerging adulthood

Answer 6

age 18-25, a time of relative freedom, many possibilities

Question 7

Explain the boomerang generation and revolving door phenomenon.

Answer 7

• the transition to independent living is occurring later and taking longer due to post-secondary education, and fewer good paying jobs since 2008
• some midlife children return to their parents’ home due to employment loss, relationship breakup, poor health

Question 8

sandwich generation

Answer 8

middle-aged adults who experience the stress of continuing dependency of children and increasing disability of parents
-new parents are older, and children stay at home longer, parents will be older and older at time of kids leaving home

Question 9

social clock

Answer 9

set of norms that govern the ages at which certain events happen, the socially and culturally preferred timing of social events, ex. marriage, parenthood, retirement