In this final discussion unit, you’ll examine development from middle adulthood through the end of life. These prompts encourage you to reflect on personal experiences, cultural practices, aging, mortality, and society’s role in supporting individuals through life’s later stages.
General Instructions
- Format: Written post (min. 200 words)
- Support: Use your textbook (HDEV: Human Lifespan Development, 6th Ed. by Spencer Rathus), reliable sources, and personal/observed examples
- Tone & Structure: Follow the Sample Discussion and Discussion Expectations
📘 Chapter 16: Middle Adulthood – Social and Emotional Development
- Generativity & Society
Erikson saw generativity as key in midlife. Does our culture support middle-aged adults in mentoring or contributing to future generations? Why or why not? - Midlife Crisis: Real or Myth?
Not everyone experiences a “midlife crisis.” What personal, social, or cultural factors might influence whether someone does? - The Sandwich Generation
Many adults care for aging parents while raising children. What policies (e.g., workplace flexibility, caregiving support) could reduce their stress? - Career Shifts in Midlife
How have trends like remote work, career changes, or delayed retirement impacted job satisfaction and transitions in middle adulthood?