Developmental Psychology

9.4 Social Dynamics Middle adulthood is said to be an important age group. This is due to the connection between generations of early adulthood and late adulthood. This role brings joy and stress, and this stage of life is considered to the sandwich generation. This is due to multi generations caring for ailing parents, as well as their own children. Children during this age typically become more independent because parents are usually having to reorganize their thinking towards their own children. Priorities are looked over in attempts to escape depression which is a significant change especially during this age. Other issues that may arise is that children may come back home to live, especially if there are financial strains that children endure. When children return home, parents typically have to organize their lives all over again. During this age, there are a few events that are considered to be quite significant, may occur. • Marriage and Intimate Relationships o Most married adults throughout middle age, usually are happily married o When it comes to victims of heterosexual violence, 20% are female, and 3% are men o Heterosexual violence occurs due to  Male dominance  Drugs  Alcohol  Low impulse control  Low self-esteem o Victims of heterosexual abuse usually are scared to leave the relationship o If divorce occurs, couples may find it a bit more difficult in the middle adulthood stage • Grand Parenting o Grand parenting usually begins during middle adulthood o Bernice Neugarten proposed 3 forms of grand parenting  Remote : Parenting that is distant, but parenting is an honor and obedience occurs  Involved : Parenting where the parent is involved in the daily life of their child(ren). Involved parents may live with the child if parents are divorced  Compassionate : Parenting is independent. The relationship with the child is friendly, and will usually live separately from the child  Grandparent roles will vary. They pay be entirely removed from a situation to surrogate parenting o Career Co siderations  There are 2 ways that work can be evaluated • Extrinsically Reward and Motivation : This is where the money and salary come into play. Those who work, usually rely on an extrinsic reward, and may feel burnt-out or alienated at their job • Intrinsically Reward and Motivation : There is a personal satisfaction from working. Individuals who seek an intrinsic reward are happy with the work they are performing  Changes in careers can happen due to physical illnesses, or mental inabilities.  With the advances in technology, this can cause technology to take over human positions and push humans out of the job market

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