HB II Middle Adulthood DB. Week 8

After reading the chapter on Middle Adulthood I find it astounding that for some it includes individuals ranging from ages 40-64 and for others ranging from ages 30-70. To me that is a huge gap that encompasses too many differences. An individual that is 30 or 40 is experiencing life events at a different time than individuals that are 64 or 70. Middle adulthood is not thought about in terms of chronological age, but mostly based on developmental task that have been achieved throughout life. Ideally during this time individuals have established a family, are settled in their career, and are taking care of their responsibilities. The social constructs of Middle Adulthood have changed over time by being recognized as a stage in life where individuals have reached a maturity level or the “prime of life”. Moving from the Baby Boomer era middle aged adults are living longer and their roles in the family are significant. During the life stage of Middle Adulthood individuals are in ways an asset to the family by providing “care, guidance, inspiration, instruction, and leadership”. (Hutchinson, p. 320 2015).

Social Workers need to be very aware of the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual changes in Middle Adulthood. During this time individuals experience physical changes meaning the body does not move the same or look the same as when they were young adults. Individuals during this stage lose hair, gain weight, and can become less mobile as it relates to muscles, bones, and joints. Also, the reproductive system changes diminishing reproductive capacity as women experience menopause and men experience andropause the male equivalent to menopause. During Middle Adulthood individuals are more susceptible to accidents, and chronic illnesses. Intellectual functioning changes as well, cognitive performance is relatively stable, but there are changes in capacity. Socially the relationships with family including spouses, children, and parents become stronger and Middle-Aged adults are seen as important to the family dynamic, they become more involved. As it relates to friendships Middle Aged adults have fewer friends. Some individuals during Middle Adulthood have spiritual growth which is a positive outcome of maturing.

One takeaway that I have after reading about Middle Adulthood development is to me it appears these individuals are the “glue” that holds the family together and provides support, knowledge, and hope. Depending on your perspective individuals during Middle Adulthood are seen as people that can help, or possibly a burden. In Social Work practice we must be aware and familiar with all the changes that occur during this life stage as well as to not bring in our own beliefs as it relates to Middle Adulthood. Each person experiencing Middle Adulthood are experiencing this stage at different times in their lives. To reiterate there are different circumstances for an individual at age 40 than an individual at age 64.

On a side note, while reading this chapter I was expecting to read about mid life crises and what that truly entails. If there is really a stage of individuals experiencing a crisis and what are the leading causes? I would suggest the outcome of experiencing the biological, psychological, social changes taking place after young adulthood leads to difficulty transitioning which may lead to doing things to see “if they still have it”.