809
Becoming
your own
person
(Age=38-
45)
Family, co-
workers,
friends
Generativity vs
stagnation. Caring
for others &
passing on wisdom
vs self-absorbed.
By this age "the die is
cast."
"I've got one last
chance." May become a
mentor and help family
members or feel a
failure. May relax and
seek fun.
Mellow years
(Age=45-
60)
Spouse, co-
workers,
friends.
Children
leaving home.
Love of all people
vs disgust and
despair.
Become closer to
spouse or leave empty
shell. Need friends.
Fewer money worries,
more health worries.
More content with past
and future or
disappointed. Death of
our parents reminds us
of our destiny. Life's a
routine.
Retirement
(Age=60-
70)
Spouse, peers,
grandchildren
Finishing work
with zest vs hating
the work.
Planning retirement.
Has time for self and
spouse. Major changes
stressful: no work, less
money, excess time,
missing productive work
and co-workers.
Facing death
Spouse,
children, care-
takers, dying
friends
Acceptance of
death but
interested in living
vs obsessed with
and dreading
death and doing
little living.
Living vs complaining.
Coping with a failing
body. Much leisure
time, so finding
constructive ways to
use time and talents or
unhappy. Has a sense
of completion
.
Table compiled from Erikson (1950), Levinson, et al (1978), Gould
(1975), and April, 1975, Time.
Several books discuss the human passage from youth to old age
(see the bibliography at the end of this personality section). We all go
through stages in critical areas of our lives--love, child rearing, work,
friends, health, etc. Knowledge of others' lives can help us.
The above discussion of character types and personality
development helps us recognize how similar or how different we may
be from one another. And, as we have just seen, it is important to
