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Dina Miller
February 10, 2015
Synthesis Paper – ‘Forming Relationships’
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Forming relationships is essential to the well-being of individuals.
Relationships vary in their importance and meaning throughout life and are
fundamental to the functioning of society. The various stages of human
development depict the kind of relationships one may have, as well as the
importance of those relationships to that stage of individual development.
The relationships that develop in infancy and early childhood are said to
be the most important. Warm and loving relationships during this stage of
development forms “both the foundation and the scaffold on which cognitive,
linguistic, emotional, social, and moral development unfold”, (Rappaport,
2007). Healthy relationships in the beginning of life provide young children the
context for developing successful interpersonal skills later in life, which is
essential to being a successfully functioning adult in society. Children use
what they learn at home as a context, to “learn how to share, to engage in
reciprocal interactions, and to take the needs and desires of others into
account”, (Rappaport, 2007).
“Adolescence is considered to be a transitional period between the rapidly
changing cognitive processes of childhood and the mature cognitive processes
of young adulthood”, (Kail, p. 301). As children grow into adolescence,
relationships become more complex and layered. Interest in opposite – sex
friendships increases and become more influential. Biological changes that
occur during puberty give rise to sexuality, and romantic relationships
contribute to one’s sense of identity. “Early romantic experiences are believed
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to play a central role in the development of the self and the ability to be
intimate with significant others”, (Feiring, p. 181). Erikson believed that
teenagers who have a strong sense of identity are more capable of establishing
intimate and sharing relationships with others, (Kail, p. 316). He believed that
those who fail to identify a true sense of identity “remain isolated and respond
to others stereotypically”, (Kail, p. 316).
Early adulthood is a period when friendships become increasingly
important. “The role and influence of friends for young adults is of major
importance from the late teens to the mid-20s and continues to be a source of
support throughout adulthood”, (Kail, p. 384). They help to drive the
engagement of the roles we play throughout the rest of adulthood. Friendships
are considered mutual relationships based predominantly on emotions, and
they influence each other’s behaviors and beliefs. One’s quality of life is
strongly related to the quality and quantity of the friendships they possess
during this stage. At this stage in life, the meaning of friendships is different for
men and women. “Women tend to base their friendships on more intimate and
emotional sharing and use friendship as a means to confide in others”, (Kail, p.
386). Men’s friendships tend to be less intimate and are based more on shared
activities and interests, (Kail, p. 386). In young adulthood, passion and
infatuation dominate their romantic relationships. These relationships are
usually short-lived and are not bound by the commitment and intimacy that
accompanies romantic relationships in middle and late-adulthood. “As the
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length of the relationship increases, intimacy and passion decreases but
commitment increases”, (Kail, p. 387).
“Middle adulthood differs from young adulthood in social needs (although
the basic need for socialization stays the same), and represents a shift in
attitude about relationships and vocations that moves away from fluidity to
stability”, (Smith, 2012). During this time period, individuals may face empty
nesting when children become independent enough to leave home. “Difficulties
emerge to the extent that raising children has been a primary source of
personal identity for parents”, (Kail, p. 493). However, parents remain a
significant source of support even when the children leave the house. The
relationship between children and their middle-aged parents becomes much
stronger and more satisfying. Middle-aged women often face the stress of
having conflicting roles of being a parent and caring for their aging parents.
This can be a stressful position for both the caregiver and the elder for various
reasons including, possible financial burdens and lifestyle differences.
Relationships in late-adulthood including social, sibling, and marital are
an important source of life quality and satisfaction. The high degree of
importance and meaning parallels that of the relationships had by young
adults. Sibling relationships are particularly important because they take more
work. Unlike social friendships, sibling relationships are fixed which demand
more work. Marital relationships, however, are usually a source of comfort and
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stability at this age. “Older married couples show a lower potential for marital
conflict and greater potential for pleasure”, (Kail, p. 577).
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References:
Feiring, Candace. (1996). Concepts of Romance in 15-year old Adolescents.
Journal of Research on Adolescence, 6(2), 181-200.
Kail, R.V. & Cavanaugh, J.C. (2013). Human Development: a life-span view (6th
ed). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cencage Learning
Rappaport, D. M. (2007). Building Relationships: Parallels Between InfantToddler Development and the Public Policy Process. Retrieved from
www.zerotothree.com
Smith, M. (2012). Early and Middle-Adulthood Paper. Retrieved from
www.termpaperwharehouse.com