Timing of Psychosocial Changes in Women’s Lives

Abstract

This symposium focuses on understanding developmental experiences in the adult lives of women, including the nature of psychosocial changes and their relation to chronological age, family-cycle phase, and historical time. Harris, Reinke, and Ellicott report on a research program oriented to hypothesis testing. They interviewed 124 middle-class women randomly selected from seven age-groups (30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60) about their life experiences retrospectively. Noteworthy findings included major transitions associated with ages 27–30 and with the preschool, launching, and postparental phases of the family cycle. In particular, the family cycle, which implies a context of relationships and social roles, illuminated many psychosocial regularities across women’s lives. In her discussion, Hancock describes some theory-generating research which suggests that women’s developmental crises, precipitated by ruptures in relationships, challenge assumptions about relationships and impel women toward active self-emergence.

Adult Development and Aging

“…Finally, some research suggests that results from all-male samples in the work of Levinson and Costa & McCrae may be truer of men than women (Chiriboga 1982). Reinke et al (1985) found that the seasons of a woman's life were not age-related but rather changed with the timing of events in the family. Transitions were most frequent during the creation of a family, the launching of the next generation, and the postparental Annu.…”

Life Event Timing Synchrony

“…Other literature sources support this supposition and suggest that the following contextual variables also influence the idealized timing of pregnancy: (Barnett & Baruch, 1980;Daniels et al, 1980;Reinke, Ellicott, Harris, & Hancock, 1985;Rossi, 1980;Teachman & Polonko, 1985;Walter, 1986;Voydanoff, 1980). Because factors in an individual's life context are interdependent, specific factors can only be separated for the purpose of illustration.…”

Teaching Career Evolution in Early Adulthood

“…A teacher may seek a leadership position while an at-home mother may return to the workforce. The new preference expands her options and experiences; she integrates more variables into her identity and gradually formulates and lives an independent identity (Bardwick 1980;Campbell 1975;Erikson 1968;Krupp 1980;Reinke, Ellicott et al 1985;Ruffin 1989;Sheehy 1977;Stewart 1977).…”