Erickson’s Theory of development – Generativity • Generativity is the motivation to contribute to the well-being of future generations • What is Generativity? • Can be a confusing concept because the word “generativity” covers such a broad area. For example, generativity can be broken down into specific arease – all of which contribue, according to Erikson, to a sense of “concern in establishing and guiding the next generation.” • • • • • Helping the next generation is an age-graded and normative demand, expected of people in their 40s and 50s by our society Four paths generally recognized to contribute to acts of Generativity • Biological Generativity: giving birth, • Parental Generativity: taking care of children • Work Generativity: teaching someeone a new skill, mentoring a new employee • Cultural Generativity: adding something to society in the form of volunteer work, cleaning up the environment or conservation of culture Unfortunately, little empirical research has examined generativity; However, McAdams & de St. Aubin conceived of generativity in terms of seven inter-related features • A cultural demand with developmental expectations & societal opportunities • An inner desire for symbolic immortality & a need to be needed • A concern for the next generation • A belief in the species • A commitment to goals and decisions • The action of creating, maintaining & offering • A narrative, the adult’s story about how they have been generative in their own life When we study this experimentally (Loyola Generativity Scale by Mc Adams & de St. Aubin), we ask people how much they identify with different experiences, such as: • I try to pass along the knowledge I have gained through my experiences • I think I will be remembered for a long time after I die • People come to me for advice • If I were unable to have children of my own, I would like to adopt children When we compile people’s answers & experiences, we see that one’s feeling of generativity is highly connected to: • Drawing on experiences to help another person adjust to a situation • Teach someone a new skill • Serve as a role model for a young person • Tell someone about their childhood • Provide constructive criticusm about someone’s performance • L.O. 11.11 • Time spent in middle adulthood includes: • • Community involvement • Watching television • Socializing with family and friends • Going on vacations • Enhances cognitive and physical functioning • Better physical health • More likely to avoid burnout Relationships • • • Relationships with their own parents also vary • Traditional cultures may live with parents even if married • Relations are mutually supportive • Health of parent plays a role in relationship • Highlight cultural differences on last point about who should care for parents Mid-life parents have young adult or emerging adulthood children • Highlight reduction in conflict • Unmarried adult children at home tend to be welcomed—Southern Europe and Japan • Adult children leaving the home is both sad and happy time—Northern Europe, U.S., UK • Returning home positive if there are goals • Parents still provide financial support Becoming a grandparent is a new role • Daily household chores including childcare • Involvement influenced by distance, and relationship with in-laws • Daughter-in-law relationship important • Grandmothers tend to be more involved • Role tends to be enjoyed
