As people age, they restructure their actions and capabilities, by changing values, goals and the implications on social functions. This essay will discuss changes across adulthood relating to Erikson’s psychosocial stages. The developmental stages theorized by Erikson that will be discussed are, firstly young adulthood, aged between 19 to 40 years old, conflicting in intimacy versus isolation, secondly middle adulthood, aged between 40 to 65 years, conflicting in generativity versus stagnation, and lastly mature aged between 65 years old until death conflicting in integrity versus despair (Cherry, 2009). For each developmental stage, physical, cognitive and social development will be applied and also the implications on social function.
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Now they have moved into the world after their schooling life, they are seeking a partner to share, friendship, sex, and intimate feelings with (if they are not in an intimate relationship already). Failing this, the young adult may feel a sense of isolation, exclusivity or other forms of non-intimate social relations. Physical development during young adulthood includes different parts of the body beginning to change, especially around the age of 30. For example, eye vision, which affects the ability to focus up-close (Thomas, 2013). At around the age of 35, hair begins to thin out and go gray, however this may occur earlier or later for the individual (Thomas, 2013). The immune system weakens when trying to fight off an illness; the reproductive system capacity begins to decrease (Thomas, …show more content…
Career and work along with family is the most important aspects through this stage (Erickson, 1994. Middle ages may feel inactive or meaningless, which are common fears to have, some also may struggle to find a purpose in life (Erickson, 1994). Life impacts such as a death of a parent, children leaving home and relationship difficulties may add pressure on the individual (Erikson, 1994).
Many physical changes occur during this development, for both men and woman anxiety arises about getting older. For a woman around the age of 50, the start of menopause occurs, which is the beginning of the end of the menstrual cycle. Many women are relieved about the occurrence of menopause, as they do not need to be worried about pregnancy during sexual relations (Mayo Clinic, 2015). Many middle-aged men may be prone to erectile dysfunction, unable to reach climax and the lack of libido; this can also be related to health, lifestyle and personal wellbeing (McGraw, 2006). However, men also experience some type of hormonal changes throughout this stage, with a decline in testosterone and a significant decrease of sperm cell production (Stewart & Osstrove,
Now they have moved into the world after their schooling life, they are seeking a partner to share, friendship, sex, and intimate feelings with (if they are not in an intimate relationship already). Failing this, the young adult may feel a sense of isolation, exclusivity or other forms of non-intimate social relations. Physical development during young adulthood includes different parts of the body beginning to change, especially around the age of 30. For example, eye vision, which affects the ability to focus up-close (Thomas, 2013). At around the age of 35, hair begins to thin out and go gray, however this may occur earlier or later for the individual (Thomas, 2013). The immune system weakens when trying to fight off an illness; the reproductive system capacity begins to decrease (Thomas, …show more content…
Career and work along with family is the most important aspects through this stage (Erickson, 1994. Middle ages may feel inactive or meaningless, which are common fears to have, some also may struggle to find a purpose in life (Erickson, 1994). Life impacts such as a death of a parent, children leaving home and relationship difficulties may add pressure on the individual (Erikson, 1994).
Many physical changes occur during this development, for both men and woman anxiety arises about getting older. For a woman around the age of 50, the start of menopause occurs, which is the beginning of the end of the menstrual cycle. Many women are relieved about the occurrence of menopause, as they do not need to be worried about pregnancy during sexual relations (Mayo Clinic, 2015). Many middle-aged men may be prone to erectile dysfunction, unable to reach climax and the lack of libido; this can also be related to health, lifestyle and personal wellbeing (McGraw, 2006). However, men also experience some type of hormonal changes throughout this stage, with a decline in testosterone and a significant decrease of sperm cell production (Stewart & Osstrove,