Stage 7: Middle-Aged Parents Flashcards
What is the period which Stage 7: Middle-Aged Parents
From time children are gone till couple retires
What are the 3 developmental tasks in Stage 7: Middle-Aged Parents?
a. Adjusting to the “empty nest”
b. Renewing and redefining marriage relationship;
c. preparing for retirement years
What is the EPT in Stage 7: Middle-Aged Parents?
Letting go and facing each other again
What are the 4 second order changes in Stage 7: Middle-Aged Parents?
a. Rebuilding marriage by renegotiation of marital system as a dyad
b. Realigning family to include spouses of children and grandchildren
c. Dealing with aging of older generation
d. Dealing with disabilities and death of parents (grandparents)
What are the issues and challenges in Stage 7: Middle-Aged Parents?
Middle-age parents:
• Rebuilding marriage by renegotiation of marital system as a dyad: may face a crisis of their own as they experience their own aging process and changes in their relationship with each other
• Accepting youth’s independence: They can no longer deny that they are getting older since they now have adult children.
• Releasing young adults and accepting new ways of relating to them/Adjusting to “empty nest”: requires that parents replace their traditional focus on their children. Some people pressure their children to produce grandchildren, while others find new hobbies or employment. Some do all three.
• Maintaining a supportive home base: On the other hand, difficulty finding work or getting into postsecondary education means that many young people delay leaving home, which also can be stressful. The move to independence is compromised by their continued reliance on parents.
Young parents:
In some cases, they will be struggling with starting their own families. If they left home early, or had children early, this struggle can be stressful. (Maintaining a supportive home base)
