week 7

351week7.docx

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-lifespandevelopment/ (Module 9 and 10)

Part 1. Main Entry: Post a brief analysis of what you have learned from this week’s readings and activities. Start a new thread, and place the header -- Name's Main Entry (e.g., Liam’s Main Entry) at the top. Within the body of your post, clearly identify each segment of the required response in order to facilitate discussion development.

a. This week’s great takeaway: What concept or theory did you find most interesting this week? Why?

b. Choose one of the following options:

1. Marriage Types: In this week’s readings (Typology of Marriage) Olson and Fowers (1993) break marriages into five types: vitalized, harmonious, traditional, conflicted, and devitalized. Find examples in the media (articles, blogs, stories, articles, images, etc.) that represent three of the types. Once you have selected your three examples, post them here, accompanied by an explanation of why you selected each as representative of the associated marriage type.

Before you begin, you may find reading Olson and Fower’s (19913) article (shared in our Week 7 Learning Resources). The methodology applied is interesting. Figure 1 in the article (page 8 of the attached PDF) provides a distinctive visual contrasting characteristic across the five types.

2. Persuasive Information: Create a one-page brochure, or a brief one to two-minute infomercial, for people in midlife or late adulthood, targeting the enhancement optimal aging. As you begin your design, think about what facts and resources you identify as most important. How can you best convey those details? When your product is ready, post it to this discussion, accompanied by a brief statement of what inspired your design approach.

2. Post Constructive Peer Feedback: In addition to posting your self-selected topic and article, respond to at least TWO (2) of your classmates’ entries who researched a topic different from yours. In 3 or more sentences, provide constructive feedback. What did you learn from their poste? Do you have additional thoughts on the topic to share? What questions do you have? When providing your feedback present the logic behind it.

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Olson, D. H., & Fowers, B. J. (1993). Five types of marriage: An empirical typology based on ENRICH. The Family Journal, 1, 196-207.

Classmate post 1:

What concept or theory did you find most interesting this week? Why?

Learning about the different types of marriage was interesting to me. This is a new concept for me, and I find myself trying to figure out which category I fall into with my spouse. After reading the description of each typology, I see that it is possible to meet the category for more than one type. Adult psychosocial development can either impede or facilitate emotional, cognitive, and physical adaptations, as well as how we conduct relationships, over time. It's important to understand that therapy and counseling are both available and stigma-free.

Option A. Devitalized couples:

Dunn. (2019, August 5). Divorce [Photograph]. Bestlife

https://bestlifeonline.com/should-i-get- a-divorce/

This picture in the link represents devitalized couples who are overall dissatisfied in their marriage and are ten times more likely than other couples to become divorced. These couples were younger, less educated, and had lower-status careers and salaries, with spouses working two jobs more frequently. (Olson & Fowers, 1993)

Conflicted couples:

Fisher. (n.d.). Conflict Resolution in Marriage [Photograph]. Dr. Wyatt Fisher.

https://www.drwyattfisher.com/blogs/marriage-blog/conflict-resolution-in-marriage

This picture in the link represents couples in the conflicted category where they have difficulty with communication and conflict resolution. In addition, they were dissatisfied with their partner’s personality and sexual relationship with their spouse. However, couples in this type of marriage identified with a certain religion which is an important aspect of their relationship. (Olson & Fowers, 1993)

Harmonious couples:

McCready. (n.d.). When Parents Disagree on Discipline: 8 Steps to Harmonious Parenting [Photograph]. Positive Parenting Solutions. https://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com/discipline/parents-disagree-on-discipline

Couples in the harmonious category were happier in their relationship but dissatisfied with their parenting skills overall. This picture represents the disconnect with their children. These couples usually have only one child, are older, and have been married for a shorter period of time. Despite the fact that a small fraction of these couples considered divorce, the majority were satisfied in general. (Olson & Fowers, 1993)

References:

Olson, D. H., & Fowers, B. J. (1993). Five types of marriage: An empirical typology based on ENRICH. The Family Journal, 1(3), 196-207.

Marital Typologies - Using Scientific Methods To Create Typologies. (n.d.). Family, Couples, and Marriages - JRank Articles. https://family.jrank.org/pages/1113/Marital-Typologies-Using- Scientific-Methods-Create-Typologies.html

Classmate post 2

. This week’s great takeaway: What concept or theory did you find most interesting this week? Why?

This week the concept of maintaining a healthy lifestyle overall leads to longevity was interesting to me. This concept applies regardless of your current developmental stage/age, and your current physical/daily lifestyle. For example, you can be a young adult who smokes, drinks alcohol and does not exercise regularly. By simply making positive changes like quitting alcohol/tobacco, eating healthy and exercising you could see significant improvements in your health. This would not only improve your lifestyle in your current developmental stage but also all the way until death. In fact, your daily lifestyle is what predominantly determines when you die (besides accidents, and other items outside of our direct control). The phrase "Use it, or you lose it" is underrated within the middle and late adulthood population. If you are stagnant in life, you'll begin to lose your physical, and cognitive abilities. Being physically active, socially involved, having a healthy marriage/relationship, and higher education all leads to a longer and happier life.

b. Choose one of the following options:

· Vitalized: Barack and Michelle Obama. Famously known as the 44th President of the United States and the First Lady. This pair provides an exemplary manner of a vitalized marriage, defined by Lumen (2020) as a very high quality relationship. Both are highly paid and highly educated professionals, sharing two daughters. This marriage survived living two terms in the White House without a marriage scandal or any major relationship disagreements. In fact, the pair shared that marriage is a hard but rewarding job. Barack and Michelle were always noted for their affectionate, respectful but playful, and happy marriage. On many occasions during interviews both talk highly of each other and mentioned how grateful they were of one another. Celebrating 30 years of marriage this October 3, 2022, it's no surprise that these two were an easy choice (Salaky, 2022).

· Harmonious: Mel & Jack from the Netflix television series 'Virgin River'. Their attraction was at first sight, but experienced difficulties like agreeing on marriage and children. Jack was head over heels, ready to marry Mel and have children after dating for a while. On the other hand, Mel was a widow and a mother to a stillborn, so she was more reluctant even though she truly loves Jack. When Jack finds out his ex-girlfriend is expecting his twins, Mel is still by his side working through this curveball. In the end, they become engaged and begin trying to grow their own family (Bentley, 2022). This couple demonstrates having some areas of tension, but a high level of compatibility (Lumen, 2020).

· Conflicted: Moira & Johnny Rose from the Netflix television series 'Schitt's Creek'. From a rich and lavish lifestyle to a shanty small-town motel room, this couple learns to be functional but have a lot of personal disagreements. It begins with Moira blaming Johnny for being a victim of fraud, causing them to lose their millionaire status and mansion (IMDb, n.d.). This change hurls Moira into complete frantic state when she cannot pack up all her wigs and wealthy belongings to take with her. After arriving at Schitt's Creek, the couple continue to have communication and low conflict resolution within their marriage because this isn't what Moira expected (Lumen, 2020). However, after some time Moira and Johnny begin to cope together and work to build themselves up in a small-town environment with their adult children. Eventually, arriving at a point where they are all able to happily live in Schitt's Creek and be proud of their transition.

References:

Bentley, J. (2022, August 12). Let’s Examine Mel and Jack’s Complicated Relationship in “Virgin River.” Netflix Tudum; Netflix. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/virgin-river-mel-jack-relationship-rewind

IMDb. (n.d.). Schitt’s Creek (TV Series 2015–2020) - IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3526078/plotsummary

Module 9: Middle Adulthood. (2020). Lumen Learning. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-lifespandevelopment/chapter/why-it-matters-middle-adulthood/

Salaky, K. (2022, October 3). Barack and Michelle Obama have been married for 30 years. Here’s a timeline of their love story. Insider. https://www.insider.com/how-did-barack-and-michelle-obama-meet-2017-10