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A ST DACT The focus f th news ltterio al -the Lnt er ac ti on be tw een., t wo majcr de vepme nt al stages ;adolesc en oe and mi dd le a ge searh an d -theories about- oaci Eta_ge a ie pces en le d sep ar at el yr f o flowed by adiscussion of h. owtinetwo iccur iitMn -the f arail y s t ructire-Thi.s discusnion y le usef ul to tee_ ch4Rrs,co uriselors, e rup1cyo2rs,or resear chero wor kiig witFimdj-vidis al who a re pa tticulla rL y af fected bytb-eice pact of t liic ro ss-s-itagiein t e xa ct ion- A onag t_hem.i. nique a_nd skrsftt1heireLct er isticsofa dal-eF. ce nc e ar e ego pp.ee a-group relation_ s,enoot_io na a 9rowt h,estala is haen tof deperAe nc e,and ca reer foraat ion.Mi lid le ageis fregua nt ly charact_er iz.edh y awa re xies of aging an d proickmi ty al aea. U1 ,wa fling he alizhan d achieve ne-en -t of ca -re er pL at, ea LI,Mani ng pa tentl-Loo d, and result ant cha.mg e in malr_ia9e st tu ations. W he n a dcleseri ts u ridergo egc ident1ta.od_ r oleoriftisin at t heauie ti th attbei. rparents experi_eace preosuire s of ge ne ye Islas e go stagnat-io n,tension an d pot-en Ai al conf lictar-eUlcely. P ar -ts y not haLrethie Ehysica ltpsyclic ene rg y-toguiclicl iitheia dolesc eat children, a nd aliena tionma_y xe suit- Gae aterEr ee Qom for tile younger ge nerat-io nea5, promote infe ri or ityr Eeelings L npa ;cents.Resear ch is ne ededto e 1p3.arefa miay theripy, education a_bc, utpro1=i1e ms 01 aging, an. d effec t of erwironfflent o r±1 divria_ual chatra et.is-tiason tile vaiyangi s e-er it y ftransit io naota_ge s axper iemc ed by' d if fexe lit pe ople, ( AV

pocunieryts acquired by ER3C irclude nuarij imiorrral Ampsublishedmaterials rot available from othear a.cluroes. ERIC weaken every effort to Qbtaln tine best copy available. Neverthelets, item 0°1trbargiulreprodocibilIty* are- often -encotirstered and this affects the quality ofthe- microfiche and hadoopy reprodvetiems ERIC =Ikea available -via theERIC Poceaterit Reproduction Service (EDRS). EDRS is ni,m respernsible for the equality of the c.rigirlaldectamermt.Reproductioutssail:spited. by EPS ale the best that can be made from the original. IN TO Is Ihe Center Quarterly Focus is on the interaction between to njor develop men- fAtages: and middle age. The discussion is set in t he con tex t of t he parents and their adolescent children. But, the discussion is relevant for U OF. cosirp.e.NT or HE ALti, EDUC1,T1(30,1 *la: EA rit PoifIens in middle age working with adolescents in any setting: schools,correc. 144AT IENIAL it( IEor- lio(tal facilities, serving agencies, on the job. IF-DUCA-W.7N 00CU;ALNT IarYI(0- Ra(f)ara Smith, a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota, and past partici- ILICE wfcrivErl F ROM in the Collateral of the Center for Youth Development and HE PERSUNOE 'THU.( ON N. JING, I I MINI!, ()IVI C' 01 0 Flearon, ex ploros the interaction between adolescence and middle age frorn the TATEp 00 NO1 1icc.T504ILY Pt.irrApect ive of "w hat in known' about these two life stages. The contrast between ENT ',OF FIC (AL NAIlt-DN.AL 'WO! TU T :DUCAT I aN PM TION fJF1.01,1( y kkr ot is known about ado lescen ce and the more li mited material available on middle aw is readily apparent. However, the discrepancy in the relative quantity does not dtrifiet from the major purpose of her paper: to begin to raise the issues Malare lh v() Ived when developmental stages are rnoognimd as eyisting for all m ern bers In .1dolescent/rni dd le age rel at ionship.

t archers, writers and teachers are explicitly draw ng attention to the impact of -stage interaction in " nonnai, everyday life situations" as well as in pathology, adolescent abuse. In the cotm soling process with adolescents in crisis or In IrAle, increasingly, f amity rnerro)ers are involved and their characteristicsand 4-,ecls co nsid ered,

Cuot-ses in - development" are appe ring in colleges of educationw here 5hif3 e attention normally has been given to adolescence; a next stop Would be to 14-A t hese two perspe ctives together.

Sir-II:tarty, courses on "parenting" reflect far greater awareness of the develop- Nola' Deeds of all fern ily members raising nOw and different questions about NrOnt/ relationships.

%ot II professionals are educated in adolescent development, but only OCcaSiOn- oily lsked to consider t heir own developmental needs in relation to the people with Whorn they work lh is, too, is changing, facilitated not only by scholarly research, y popular books such as Gall Sheehy's Passages, a journalistic account of irningling i nterviews with academic findin gs. N4, Ac,0C:1161.cjiy, this initial review seeks to contribute to the developing mom en turn reggt-ding buddle ageladolescence interactions based on a more extensive kn ewl- eV. base. In read ing the text, it is iMportant to bear in mind that al I peopled ev clop et trleir own rate and individual d iff erences prevail. It follows that c eneraliL-at ions atoi_if any group may not be valid f or any given individual.

Miriam Seltzer, Editor h one looksat modern youth, written about the adolescent's role in ADOLESCIra heritbe inthe context of the this interaction. There are elaborate AND PARENT: yhological, the sociological, or the theories of adolescent developnient ral aspects, inevitably the rela- and quantit ies of emp irical data w hich interaction Betw tea t110 too be tween the adolescent and pinpoint areas ol co nr!ern and areas of 11% paren ts becornes one of the foci. growth and change. Developmental Stages -019 relationship is generally viewed But what of the other side of this by Barbara Srnit h e% factor thatsignificantlyinflu- interaction thatis, what of the elicesthe direction of the adolescent's parent? Much of the information about grvrtjL Itis.of course, a two-way parents is presented in terms of the relationship, and because it is so irn- effeCts they lTave on their adolescent MrjAnt, it is necessary to know and son or daughter. To fully understand urlder5tand both sides. Much research the interaction between parent and f14n Izieen done and much has been adolescent it is necessary to recog niZe

C(NTERfor Youth Oeopr11nt and

QUARTERLYFocUS parents as persons who have spoci lie capable of formal operational thought the major tasks as linding a suitable concerns and problems of their own, andisabletoperformlogical lovo obiect and pending a satisfactory persons who have ident ities apart from ueerations on symbols and hypoth- ego defense mechanism. Anna Freud their parenting and from their effect on e.i,s. [Thornburg, 19711 Socially, the sofasit as a period of transition, ten- their children. Adequate information young person's idea-, about people and conflict. [Hoiroces,1969] uLmu|bo/hpmoo(sundaUo|uxueo(uuu and reletion:ihihs are becoming nee e aret rvl cladp resent s a0 if f er t individuals, coupled with information complee and differentiated and of ten pic tu re: she says " st or ir and stress" is about the interaction between them. there is a turning from parental to peer a cultural variable and is not a univer- can con tribute to a more extensive and inUoe000. atleastin some areas. sal phenorn en on. [ Ada. .s, 1973] intensive view of family life.h may V\lh ile friends of their own age aro very Contemporaty American society also help to promote an understanding important to adolescents, are seems to generate an adolescent inter- of, and an ability to deal with. the dis- lust as important. In a t wceyear nation- val that is both gradual and stressful. cootinuities and problems that occur wide study of adolescent , their Adol escence tend s to be a rncratorirlin between parent and adolescent within family was found to be wry sir:helical 11 period between childhooq and adult- the family. to the girls as a supporting and limit- hood where the loosening of control is This paper is exploratory in nature. ing power while their friends were con- gradual and where the adolescent is Accordingly, it only touches upon sidered important as mirrors of them- allowed to take on some adult roles some of the import an t issues on which selves. [Konopka, 1975] but not all of them. Youth's question- further study is needed. Five topics Eric Erikson views the major task ing of the validity of t hese adult roles relating to the parent-adolescent inter- of this period as establishing an ego makes the choice of them more diffi- action are dealt with,First, adoles identity, a matter of considerable d if f cult and contributes to stress ard cenCe and some of its characteristics culty. Erikson says that it is necessary tension. People's expectations of the as a unique period of growth and tor the adolescent to have a certainty adolescent vary:some treat him as an change are briefly described. Second, of self and a sense of continuity and adult, others as a child. The adoles- middle age (35-60 years) as a develop- belonging if he is to avoid the prot^ cent's role, then. La somewhat unde- mental period is explored and some of lerns of role eon fusion. fNeugarten, fined andinflux.Itcan be very thespecificcharacteristics and 1968] In this process of building and coot using.While some generaliza- concerns of t time of life are identi- integrating a concept of self, the peer tions can be made about the growth Ned. (Since this section deals with group and interpersonal relationships and change of this period, middle-aged parents, itisthe major become important. The searchfor adolescence is also a time of individ- focus of the paper.It seems most ident ity and for a sense o f self.esteern ual development. Change and turmoil parents who have adolescent children goes on throughout life but begins in are handled differently by each are approaching middle age or are the adolescent years and can con- individual, depending on his person- already rniddle-aged,) Third, the rela- tribute to some of the turnoil and ality, lifestyle , mean s of co ping, etc, stress of this period. [McCandless. \Alhether this developmental stage tionship between these two develop- crisis mental stages within the context of 19701 actually becomes aserious the family relationship is examined, Sorne of the other developmental period depends upon the individual as Fourth, the implications of all this in- tasks of this period include emotional well as on the kind ofat moSphere formation for those concerned with growth,moral development,social society generates. With our knowl- family and/or vouth are discussed. ad]ustment, establishment ofinde- edge of adolescents and the problems Fifth, possible questions for research pendence, and career formation. [Cole, they face, we can provide an environ- that will help to increase our knowl- 1970] Information about all facets of [lent thatwillfacilitate the healthy edge and understanding of these topic life is coming in from allsides, and growth and development of each indi- areas are suggested. adolescent needs somehow to vidual. This environment should pro- egrate this new in formation into his videconditions where adolescents ADOLESCENCE system. In addition to all this, a can actively participatein t he decision- Adolescence can be defined from transitioninemotionality seems to making that aff ects their lives, where many perspectives; no one definition occur at time. Thus adolescence theycanestablish a senseof integratesallthe characteristics tends to be a sensitive period. [Hur- belonging, where they can experiment of this developmental stage.Here, lock, 1973] and try on roles, where they can dis- adolescence is defined as a critical Early authors have described the cover self by looking outward as well transition period, generally spanning adolescent years as an "awakening of as inward, whare they can formulate the ages of 12 to 20, during which rapid Spring- and more often than not, as a their own value system, and where growth and change occur, period of "storm and stress," In his they can cultivate a capacity to enjoy The physiolog ical maturation book Adolescence, published in 1904, life. [Konopka, 1973] Adolescence May which takes place during this time is G. Stanley Hall describes it as a time still remain a confusing and difficult accOmpanied byrapid changesin of storm and stress accompanied by time, butitneed not be a time of body siee and st ructure, by the appear- unreasonable conduct and a lack of serious crisis ordespair, ance of secondary sex characteristics, emotional st ability, [Demos and and by heightened interest in sexual Demos, 1969] Freud viewed it as a MIDDLEAGE matters.Cognitively,accordingto dramatic periodin which the idis Only recently have researchers Piaget, the adolescent is becoming cernpletely out of control and defines from various fields of study begun to

CENTERfor youth Dt!vetopmprit and Rese.irch QUARTERLY Foc. look sc2riau5ly at dovelopment as crease in physical i-strength, stain inn, rlala suggest that this period I, an un- long process wh inn i .3 annum panind by and attractiveness; therefore the stable and uncomfortable time. Many many physical, social, Jnd emotional individualneedstochange,from people report a feeling that it is gett ing changes. [Atchley. 1972] Middle ago, physigue-basod values to wirAcirn or 'too late" to do many of the things spanning the years from 35 to 60 life-experience.based values.Failure they had hoped to do. In tho flit ies, the (depending ontri-, ndivictual),has 10 rnako thi5 switeh may result in hi:- -major ccarceni is with roll( and pito pie been one of the must ignored areas r.)1 lerness. depreson, frustration, and fend to respondwithincreasing development. Pager Gould found that Meth-NAO./on est; II work aridgoeiell pa5sion to statements about lack of people of similar ages have similar roles. The second task for the rn,rldlifj, ,jitio. Marry concerns about health problems and specific: concerns ac- aged individual according to Peck, is also expressed at this time. There is a cording tn their age. The data from his thatofsocializingrather thac1 developmental sequence, then, which study indicate that there is a definite sexualizingin human relationahTs. does appear in the middle adult ye:1,, , develOPmental sOqUence in the middle Along with a dc-creaseinphysical [Gould, 1975] A sense of stagnation, adult yearr. [Gould, 1975] The corn- powers, there is also a crisis period in disequil lb num, and depression is sus of many authors, in sum, is that terms oftheindividual's sexual predictable as people enter the period "the middle-aged adult has as many identity. Peck views this crisis es an of mid-life; this is just part of the total problems to solve and pleasures to opportunity for relationships to take ::fecycle picture. [Sheehy, 1976] enjoy as any child or adolesgent ever on greater depth and a new kind of Very limited systematic data thought aboit." Mischof, 19E9, D. 11 value thatwas not possible when e available on adults. The most Middle age, then, as part of life's de- sexualizing was the goal. The third f requently used technique of velopmental sequence is just begin- task delineated by Peck isthatof investigation is tho survey-question- ning to be recogeized as an important establishing ernotional flexibility so as naire, usually accompanied by some and unlgue stage in an individual's to avoid emotional impoverishment. it sort of interview. Through the use of Ent'. Erikson presents one of the is during middle age that parents die, su ch questionnaires and surveys few theories of human development children leave home, and the circle of some experiential and intuitive data that en cc mpasses the entire I ile cycle. friends and relativesisbroken by about specific areas of change and Inthistt-teeryego developmentis . The individual needs to he able growth in the middle adult years have traced from infancy to , Whilt, to shift his emotional involvement to been collected. The following are just the task tor the adolescentis ego other people and activities. Ifhe is a few of the major concerns, changes, identity vs, role confusion, the task for unableto reinvesthisemotions, and awarenesses that may touch a the middle-aged adult is that of gen- problems can result. The fourth task is person during the middle adult years, erativity vs .ego stagnation. Erikson to maintain mental flexibility instead They do not constitute an all-inclusive says that it is necessary for the person of sinking into mental rigidity.Itis catalog, nor is the composite Meant to inthisstagetoexpandhisego durng the middle years, Peck feels, be a sweeping description or stereo- interests and to have a sense of having thaz the person becomes set in his typeofthe middle-aged adult. An contributed to to e future, The middle- ways and closed to new ideas. Usually examination of the characteristics of aged individual also struggles with the person cf this age has ach ieved individuals within a wide age span (35- changeability in ris identity and se,f- peak status of some sort and thus is 60 years) will always reveai great vari. image. While theproblemof ego tempted to forego further change, re- ability.VVhatisimportantto one identityispredominantin adoles- fusing to look zt ne-A, answers to old person may be of little significance to cence, Erikson feelsitis present for proolerns and sduations. [Neugerter , another. Thecharacterist ics discussed the middle-aged ad u't as well, though 1968] Peck, then, defines some spe... here are possible areas of concern, it occurs on a different level. The dif- cific areas of change and potential and the purpose in looking at them is ference is due to the adult's more problems for the middle-aged adult. to help establish the middle years as a extensivelifeexperiences.His He views these problems and tasks as period of growth and change which is successinresolvingtheproblem worthy of as close attention as that an integral part of the total life cycle. varies with the degree of his success given tohe problems of the e4rlier in dealing with earlier crises or stress, stages of life. Avareness of age. [Neugarten,19681Erikr,on,then, In a study done through direct ob- One ofthefirstawarenesses that presents a view of the middle adult servat ions of group therapy ses.sions strikes a person during this stage of years as a time when important devel- and through the analysis of question- rife is the awareness of growing old. opment is occurring and growth and naires about attitudes and concerns, Life is no longer limitless. The indi- struggle are goi nq o rt. Gould pinpoints some specific con- vidual tends to have an acute sense of Robert Peck posits a theory that cernspeople have asthey move time and often begins to have regrets middle age is a tnne of psychoioqical through the adult years. !n the thirtieS, about the "rnight-have-beens" of life. learning and adjustment consisting of the individual's focus is on the family, There is also growing frustration with four major tasks. The middle-aged and the feelings about one's mate and the realization that there is probably adult must first learn to value wisdom offspringincreaseinsignif icance, not enough time to do allthat one rather thanphysical powers asa This period is also marked by active would like to do. [LeShan, 1973] This means of solving problems and as a psychological change and pursuit of awareness of time is accompanied by standardforself.evaluation.During various achievements. In the forties. the sometimes ,rightening and painful the middle adult years there is a de- personal comfort decreases and the realization that one is moving into a

4 le .ililiiii.11\./ t,_ Waning parenthood. nagesit ea The ad ven ee iw_Jci et y, to he nqat qi ot an ei-- nod Mid dki nime geniTaliy marks the clos3e "empty nest- irlay mark t he h t Orpre;;ticinu:,Jquality.The °Weill of the childbearing years Ong car ord- ii years thtat husband and va generalh/ do not jiiii,z,,se:.15; preitini., hood n the oai in[LeShar, 197:3] alone tog et tirr. Fhoy may K-i-ivo to f ace statu:-i, or ir--,fluc!nce. )1 i: ;Ipejtioa tinusaiill,/ creates a certain degree solve un fir rished hu !Jinn s.'.5left over frrii earlier years-Middle age does not that isdownqr!dolhy over yonc. oi up. and cnnnict for tintfi riarents. ssar7lyc;erni n,t) p [A tr;:-ILI:',':1/:!; Odr ';(..v(lylo sl 0 tineinoilit.ri Alioin. ly have het,ii dismal out tool, toward 4irot,:iit g old ancl 1)it inay bri ng to awareness p roblern s totHy ;il'intii ni thefarilily, he Oein 0eldorlyis outsl,:)rnot Nor on rtvy invcilve a r nimik+ that_ have been ignored in the hustle looks forwardtoIli,qlini,--1inI ili:!, ablc.- role stiltins shift, Goiribined hustle of child roaring anti the_.1 pursuit 0 bcc,0 rho -, ; -1 w;:rrr,-r c--,1t lic 1 ,;:i lit-,/ 'Aologicial change of meno- of a career. One striking contrast he of Old -icle, ci=:n ho ve,- y !:1:--0:7,1,,u, lod- ih_f) 10±0( se, coi.ild become a Potential crisis twoen husband and wife in the, rriddf individual: p:,!riod tor the ,Arornan. [Kimmel, 1974] years is his sense of StalOnO6S Corn- The father, who may have spent many pored to her feeling of unbounded- HenIth am', vitality. f.--)e mounting yearS huildiugfib -,ar,:;nr, often tunas Health can he Another wafter 0 back to the nest in his middle yoars strong-mindedness end a movement cern during LW- inicidlu veari., ,to--i only to f ind that his tenderness comes toward independence in t he wife past iniphy si 6.4 I th or ::1 if; a riocrei-rr.o at time when lus uhildron aro de- Thi5 ocr:urs at the sante time that strength. stamina and a tiroclivenims. mandinn distance.This experience II mere a:-e stirrings of emotional vulner- Since these arethe charactariStic5 can result in a feeling Of unsalvageable ability in the husband. [Sheehy, 1976] I h at an ap parent ly yot.ith-0 riented cul- lossforthemale.[Sheehy.1976] Along with the implications t hat this ture values frost .triii:5 can be a dif flow t Parents whostillhave children hi has for the middle-aged couple, it may perind. Ch ronicill ness alSo bocorres home may also hnd middle age a diffi- also be necessry for thern tc adjust to more prevalentat thisH Me inlife. cult time to perform the parental role. their rnate's new social role perhaps Hearing and vision beoin to fail i ri the Parents teld to Wel more helpless and that ofretiree rather than business tithes. [Atchley. 19721 Won-10 n tend to to worry more about their children executive or that of a career woman be increasingly concerned with the during adolescence than at any other instead of a housewife. [LeShan, 1974] health of their husbands; men report time. [LeShan, 1973] Parents need to Reality of death. feelings of increased plroF.ical vulner- adjust constantly astheirchildren ability dunng the middle yeHrFi. [NI eu- progress front infancy to adolescence Probably one of the most painful and carten. 1968] to adulthood. This adjustment can be difficult awarenesses of middle age:, is disturbing and dii fie ult for the Middle- that death in no longer a Odic ulou and irnpotenoe abstraction. The middle adult years are aqedindividualtomake.[Flischof. The OnSet of menopause and periods 1969] usually the tin-ie of a person's f irst of impotence which may occur during experience with the death Of a parent. the :Middle adult years car, also brinci Career plateau. [LeShan, 1974] The circle offriends about a orisit-j period for t he individual. The middle years edn also he the time anu relatives begins to he broken by Menopause i s a biological change that ,Arnon work careers peak or reach a death and t here is increasing anxiety psvc hologi cal over the loss of one's mate Middle- mayhavelin portaitt plateau:[Atchley,19 72]fRetirerm-nt impl ical ions for the woman. It rnarks a begins to be recognized as a reality. aged worrier rated fear of widoWhood turning point in life bec ause it irnolves There is growing awareness that some a5 one or their greatest concerns at bijlog :cal and psycholog ical factors in goals may be unat tainable. Men in par- this-time.[Neugarten,1968] Death addition to the perception of the be- ticular tend to perceive a close rela- touches middle-aged persons closely, gmn ing of "old age.- Those change3 tionship between the life-line and the which may result in feelings of anxiety inaply a general shilt in too lite stages career-lire, and when there is a dis- and vulnerability . and because so many factors are in- parity between career expectations in summary: volved at once, it COu id become a di ff i- and career achievements it adds to a colt adjustment period for the woman. heightened awareness of age. [Neu- Middle ago is a period of heightened [ft eu gad en. 1968] M nte rS and John gart oh,19671 Fewer options are introspection And a time for the re- son (1970] have found that the sexual usually available to middle-aged inch- structuringofexperience. There- inadequacy of men increases during viduals;they may findthemselves assessment ofselfis a prevail ing rWddle age. This is usually not doe to losing out to younger people. It may theme t hneu ghout this period. Partially physical facters but is the secondary also become necessary to readjust this involves the integration of new information into what i s already known, result of stresS Sternrrlingf tom pre- some importantcareergoals.For occupation with cereer, farnilyretire- persons (cenerally mates. up to now) [Neugarten, 1967] Middle age, then, is Meat, etc. [Kimmel, 1970] During the for whom work has been a major part one of the important developmental Middle adult years both men and of their identity, tbe reality of retire- stages that occurs during thelife women express the importance of to- ment implies a major role shift and span. Itis a unique time in life like r-hair-Ong sexually attractive. [LeShan. may involve a painful adjustment. adolescence and other stages in the 1973] These concerns, coupled with life cycle arid it has its own special biological and psycholog ical changes, Marriage situation. needs andchallenges.Likemost could Make this stage a difficult time The middle-age years also have some periods of growth and change it can be fOr the m iddle-aged adult. important implications for the mar- stressful, but as in adolescence the rniddleaged adult makes an individual 'CENTERim YuLph Ov i response to the develop mental QUARTERLY changes, and crisis need not occur. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN l'ew rori c(1(.!-'have expi. Whileparentsarolacedwiththe THE AC1E5 It ntal stages sine cliilds defiance and rebellion and with by sloe, th s mv they occur the awareness that the child is now a ii theJun,/ btrufd ire. Comparr :-;exual being bursting with life, they soniiirt cent rusto raiddle age and niay concurrently be fmcing tho anxiety itclr ict')e urii:I III 1h Iarea!,often,-Uon ii.)inw; with (lilting oray inc It nore 0 i iij iit Bow the fliy iU.iilwa_;empanieci perhap* by Hscont ;Jrirl 11,e noddle-aged Aim ,3oncern about thestatus and the Ithr lite IT HO, be el (5:1 le rif! 10:1q, fool hit dre of their own sex life. V /tide the !;rf) so 01 despair about limitations adolescent r rt-i many choices before ;iflh Ii ,:Naso Of hd about the flirn and can make what ho wants of his luture. Secauso ii idle co tends to life, the i)arents are becorning increas- accopani ed by reary/ cif I he !-,Jrno, ingly and explicitly aware of unfulfilled

feeiings thNI accornony adolescence. dreams, mistaken decisions And thft; period ol t ohoires, thin0 1011 undone. When life limes called "reiddiesc en co." MidiTh,s- 3oorns to be just opening up for the cenoe can he sen as an opporftnny adolescent, it seems to be starting to to continue onJiih thai dsniit (dose offfor the parents. [LeShan, of the adolescent ecilicd both parent 1973] The adolescent possesses the and adelet:,cont reay ty:- going through kinds of things society values while the same developmental tasks but on the middle-aged parent is losing them. somewhat differentIrp ic s.NIWe th47. Whether the parents' realization of rid- adolescent seeks to discover a "sell" teronces is conscious or not, it usually and Ctihish independence fmin the is accompanied by "inevitable feelings family. t he parent too needs to sepa- of iealousy and rivalry" directed at the rate himself from pr eoccupation with adolescent. LeShan suggests thatif the family so that he can find a now adults are able to rethink t!ie moaning "self." In a settingwhereboth of the middle years this may help middlescence and adolescence are lessen the conflict with their adoles- occurring simultaneously, it is a time cent children. If adults can understand of new beginning for the whole family themselves better and come to value [Kimmel, 1074] This new beginning Can the growth and change that is taking he atimeofanxiety,impatience, place in their lives, they may see that frustration, and misunderstanding. As lots of feelings associated with the such itcarries withit the potential behavior of their children really have to for conflict. Perhaps Arthur Johnson do withtheirfeelingsaboutself. describes this situation best when he [LeShan, 1973] With this understand- :Jays ing, they can deal openly with what is _ Adolescencehitsparentsata happening within them and not direct time when they are probably feeling so many of their tensions and frustra- less confident and more compromised tions at others, oarticirLirly their ado- by life. The middle-aged parent, whose lescent children. ideatism about life and contribution to Conflict with th e.dolescent may it has been dissipated, cannot strongly also crop up within th ; family because reinforce the self concept ol a some- vhat insecure young person whom he parents find it difficult to face the im- may subtly envy. Someone has very plicationsottheirAildren'sado- aptly described this as the clash of lescence.For7-fiddle-agedparents. inferiority complexes, [Dialogue on parenthood isr.1 the wane;itis a 1970, p. 1 f] frightening time for tnose who have Thus the parent who is reshaping investedeverythins n thefamily. his own self concept and undergoing Many adults feel threatened. too, by Major changes in the young person s questioning of and lifestyle may not struggle havethephysicalorthepsychic againstauthorityandby energy to guide and reassure his ado- youth's disdain of so many things that lescent child. The adolescent may feel parents value. The current generation misunderstood, shut out. not cared of adults who are in their middle years for. The behavior which stems from has been characterized as having lived these feelings may trigger reactions to please others and as having been from the parents. The resultisa made to feel responsible for the prob- vicious circle of misunderstandings lems of their children. [LeShan. 1973] and resentment. Thereforetheyoftenexpecttheir For most individuals middle age adolescent children to please them as does tend to arrive et t he same time as they pleased their own parents. This the adolescence oftheirchildren. n,akes for all kinds of possible misun- dorstandings and conflicts. It te_ s also Itis not easy for par nts to deal boon suggested thatitis difficult for with all the problems and challenges middle-aged parents to let go of their of middle age at the same time that adolescent children because of guilt their children seem to like them the feelingsthattheyhavefailed ap, least and are making devastating judg- parents. These feelings can rosult in ments of their shortcomings. [LeShan, thee hanging on to their Ig-(3) Likewise it is not (14y ler adoles- being overprotective. This in turn may centswhoareundergoing rapid generate resentment on the rwt of the growth arid change to deal with their adolescent and may contribute to feel- problems and establish an identity at a ings such as not being trusted or not time when their parents are unable or being comidered capable of handling unwilling to give thorn the support and various situations. guidance they may need. Another development that might Only a small dimension of the affectthe current generationot complex interaction between the two middle-aged adultsis the VVornen's developmental levels of adolescence Liberation Movement. It is disturbing and rniddlescence has been presented for the middle-aged woman to be told here. This discussion is intended only that she has wasted herlife. The to awaken some sensitivity to the fac- Women's Movement can be seen by tors that may lead to a crisis within the these middle-aged adults as an attack family. However, it may very well be on the roles and attributes they have that tension between parent and child alwaysthoughtof as satisfying. is necessary for the continued growth [LeShan, 19731 A mother may begin to and development of both individuals. feel some resentment toward her ado- And, while this interaction may gener- lescent daughter who is free to make ate a potential crisis through misun- decisions and who has many choices derstanding and conflict, it may also available to her. Also, a mother may result in a sharing and a greater under- feel somewhat cheated. These feel- standing of one another. Therefore it ings may manifest themselves in con. need not result in a serious crisis or a flict between mother and adolescent breakdown in family relations. daughter.

IMPLICATIONS AND QUESTIONS This treatment ot adolescence, possible to anticipate problems in a FOR RESEARCH middle age, and their ;nteraction with- family before they occur. in a family structure g nerates a nurn- Second instead of dealing only ber of implications for those involved with the adolescent in a crisis situa- in youth work and/or family dynamics tion, it rnay also be necessary to deal aswellasforthoseinvolvedin with the parents. Since the interaction research. Only a few of the major im- between parents and the adolescent plications are discussed here. can have both negative and positive First if nothing else, this com- effects, one upon the other, it would pilation of information provides a more seem most effective to deal with all complete picture of the adolescent's persons involved in or touched by the world than was available before look- crisis. Some form of family therapy is ingcloselyandexplicitlyatthe implied here. However, while family parents. Italsoprovides a more therapy may be a good route to go, it extensive view of the family and the presently is not a viable alternative for interaction between parents and ado- many families In crisis because of lescents. When both sides are taken the cost, the stigma attached to coun- into account it is easier to understand seling, etc. the relationship and its potential for Third it is necessary to be as conflict.Youth workers sometimes concerned aboutadultsasabout finditeasy to blame parents or to children and adolescents.Itseems identify a parent as the "bad guy" in an importantto recognize that adults unstable family situation. The data pre- have problems, to help them identify sented point out areas of stress for the3e problems, and to provide the parents and suggest that instead of means for working them through. This blaming parents, compassion and un- requires promotion of an atmosphere derstanding should be shown for their of growth and change where adults are positions. With further research and allowed to experience and acknowl- more informationitmay become edge their discomfort with "self" or

CENTERtorV. outh _ Development ana fte.$earch (11ARTERLY Focus 7 vith !heir lifestyle and where help and \initial and speci fie c haract ririst ics of order to preNent MO occurrence or mderstanding are available. thefamilythatcontributetothe recurrence of problems? What kinds of Fourth some type o f cdi ir non making of a crisis situation can be intervention will succeed in helping 'bout the developmental aspects of identified, researchers will beina those i evolved in a crisis situation? ItomighthehelpfulMiddle-aged position to begin to c onsi der poseible These are just a few of the gees- iuults often are unaware ofor deny eleven eve measures for sortie serious tions tor which better understanding is iny struggle with, growth and change f al Tlity problem s. needed. Any research takes time and n their lives. Parente a ie oen orally ex- Intuitively,it has been assumed involves some difficultiesand tecteo to understand that their adobes- thatinteraction between individuals problems. Researchinthe area of :ent child is goino through difficult inthe two differentTleveloprnental family interaction is accompanied by Imes but very few ado escen tri realize stages of middle age end adoleerence many eueh difficulties. At times it may hat their parents may be struggling can have both negative and positive seem enpracticalifnot impossible. iithproblems,ton. A miltull effects on each. However, very little Perhap s getting the "answers" is not ,wareness of the total situation may research orin format iorlis aveileble as important as simply letting the Tomotean understandingand a which indicatee to what degree: one questions underscore awareness of plerance that will help foster growth affects the other or which shows cm- theareasinwhichknowledgeis n both the parents and the adoles- pirically that one actually does have lacking. In any case -- holding family :enc. significant effects on the other. interaction and the individual aspects Filth and perhaps most impor- Research is needed to investigate the involved to be very important it ob- ant, much still is not known and much specificcharacteristicsinvolvedin viouslyisessentialto continue to esearch needs to be done before all parent-adolescentrelationships. Are question and to try to find answers ne bits and pieces 01 present knowl- there different specific characteristics thatwilladvanceknowledge and dge can be effectively integ rated. In in families who are having serious dif- understanding. ome areas (mostly in adult develop- ficulty vs. those who do not have prob- tent)researchisham peredby lems? Ooes the degree and/or quality SUMM ARY roblems with the availabili ty and will- of the relationship between parents le conclusion, both adolescence igness of subjects and by the inade- and adolescents differ for t hose ado- and middle age are seen as critical uacy of measurement tech niques and lescents who are having serious diffi- developmental periods, each of which )terpretation. [Bischof. 1969] Though culty vs. those who do not? How does has its own problems and concerns. ome cross-sectional studies are avail- it differ? Is it degree, is it quality, or is Bothstagesarecharacterizedby ble. much of what we need to know it some other variable? growth and change which can precipi- an be learned only from 000d longi- Will some type of education or tate a crisis period depending upon idinalstudies.[Neugarten 1968] information-g iving about t he develop- the ind ividual's response. These two here are, of course, all kinds of prob- ment al aspects of the entire life cycle developmental stages interact within ellsassociatedwithlongitudinal help promote self-understanding and the Con text of the family and this inter- )search whether it be prospective perhaps understanding and tolerance action may result in negative and/or rretrospective but the area of wit hin t he family? Cog nitively, the ado- positive experiences for the individual* unifyinteraction seems important lescent is at a point where he can Because the family is viewed as an im- nough to warrant taking the neces- understandparentalpositionsand portant part of the life of both the ado- ary time and trouble. points of view. How would the adoles- lescent and the middle-aged parent, In terms ol specific research, one of cent make use of the information the possible consequences ofthis if the first areas to look at pertains to about his parents' sources of tension interact ioncarrywith them many he individual aspects of both adoles- and stress? Would it make any differ- important implications for those con- ence and middle age. Some in forma- ence in the family interaction? Would cerned.Presentknowledgeserves ion is already available but there is an understanding of adult develop- only as a beginning in helping to un- till much to be learned, particularly in ment as a normal and unavoidable derstand the entirelife cycle as a le area of middle age. Arnong the process help the middle-agedindi- process of development and change. It Iajor questions are: VVhy are these vidual be more comfortable with his also serves only as a beginningin tages of adolescence and middle age changing "self" and make it less of a helping to understand the discontinu- crisis period for some and not for period of turmoil? ities between the generations and the thers? What determines how critical We have viewed "rniddlescence" areaS of potential problems and stress le transition period will be loran indi- as having some significant implica- in the family. Much research is needed Idual? Isit determined by individual tions in terms of family interact ion. We for many questions are as yetun- haracteristics such as the person's may also want to explore the irnplica- answered. It is hoped that increasing leans of coping with stress, his prior tions for the middle-aged educator or knowledge in these areas will enable xperience with tension and stress, youth worker and their interactions individuals to accept change in them- tc., or isit determined more by the with adolescents. selves and to understand and respect idividual's family environment and its And finally, how do we approach themselves while in transition. This is prevention and intervention? We need pecificcharacteristics? It seems the first step in beginning to under- kely that an interaction will be found to identify specific characteristics of stand and respect others who are etween these two variables which de- the farriily interaction before we can also undergoing growth and change, mines how difficult a period middle anticipate serious problems. Once we whether they be one's adolescent can identify these characteristics, how children, one's parents, or one's peers. ge and adolescence will be. However, do we go about prevention? What specific characteristics of the indi- kinds of intervention do we use in 9L61. lied naoi

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evelop ents in Adoiesc RIBLIOCRAPHY Adams, James. Understanding Adolescence: Current Psychology. Allyn-Baco 1, Boston, 1973. Atchley, Robert. The Social Forces in Later Life. Wadsworth PublishingCo., California, 1972. Bischof, Ledford. Adult Psychology. Harper & Pow, New York, 1969. Center for Youth Development and Research. Dialogue on Youth: Anlnferdisc, . plinary View. University of Minnesota, 1970. Cole Luella/Hall, Irma Psychology of Adolescence. Holt, Rinehart and Winston New York, 1970, Dernos, J. & Demos, Y. -Adolescence in Historical Perspective", Journalf Oar- riade and Family, volume 31,1969_ Gould, Robert. "Adult Life Stages; Growth toward Self-tolerance",Psychology Today. February, 1975. Horrocks, John. The Psychology of Adolescence. Houghton-Mifflin Company, Boston, 1969. Hurlook, Elizabeth. Adolescent Development. McGraw-Hill Publishing Company New York, 1973_ Konopka, Gisela. "Adolescent Girls: a two year study". Center (or Youth Develop- ment and Research Quarterly Focus, Fall, 1975. Konopka, Gisela. "Requirements for Healthy Development of AdolescentYouth", Adolescence, vol 8, number 31, Fall, 1973. Kimmel, Douglas. Adulthood and Aging. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York,1974. LeShan, &la. The Wonderful Crisis of Middle Age. McKay Publishing Com panv, New York, 1973_ McCandless, Boyd. Adolescent Behavior and Development. Dryden Press,inc., Illinois, 1970. Neugarten, Bernice. Middle Age and Aging, University of Chicago Press,Chicago, 1968. Sheehy, Gail. "The Crisis Couples Face at 40. McCall's, May, 1976. Thornbur, Hersehl, Contemporary Adolescence: Readings. Brook Publist't- ing Company, California, 1971.

The Center Quarterly Focus is published by the Center for Youth Developrnent and Research, University of Minnesota, to communicate significant currenl thinking and research on issues and problems concerning youth. Youth is del nicd a-s the stale in the life cycle that begins in adolescence and continues until adulthoodessentially the period between Childhooci and ecOnoirtic independence, ManUscriets invited. Giaeia Kanopka, Director; Miriam Seltzer, Editor; Lillian Jensen, Technical Editor. Offices at 48 McNeal Mall; 1986 Durord Avenue. University of Minnesota, St, Patti, Minnesota WOO. Fail 1976.