Your Relationship to your Parents
"I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go." (NLT John 21:18)
What Generation are you?
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Born between 1900-1924 - G.I. / Greatest Generation
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Born between 1925-1945 - Silent Generation
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Born between 1946-1964 - Baby Boom
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Born between 1965-1979 - Generation X
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Born between 1980-2000 - Generation Y or Millennial’s
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Born between 2000/2001- Generation Z
Before 1960 we were living during a time where there was a great deal of racial separation and contention from one race to another. During those times, the only thing you had other than family to help you get through and endure life’s heartaches and pains was your faith and trust in God.
The G.I, Silent and Baby Boomer generation were pivotal players during those times and instrumental in helping us to achieve the freedoms we enjoy today. Had it not been for the many Political movements (people organizing around a single issue or set of issues, or around a set of shared concerns of a social group) and Revolutions (“A drastic change that usually occurs relatively quickly? This may be a change in the social or political institutions over a relatively short period of time, or a major change in its culture or economy); we would not be able to enjoy the many luxuries or experience the many opportunities today; however, we must remember that they were and are the praying generation. Faith helped them endure those times and changes. This diagram attempts to show the dramatic shift that occurred in society and our community once we obtained the many freedoms that so many fought for. However, the generations after 1960, Generation X, Y and Z, we find ourselves no longer turning to the church as our source for what is right and wrong.
Middle Adulthood: 35 to 55 or 65
Ego Development Outcome: Generativity vs. Self-absorption or Stagnation
Basic Strengths: Production and Care
Now work is most crucial. Erikson observed that middle-age is when we tend to be occupied with creative and meaningful work and with issues surrounding our family. Also, middle adulthood is when we can expect to "be in charge," the role we've longer envied. The significant task is to perpetuate culture and transmit values of the culture through the family (taming the kids) and working to establish a stable environment. Strength comes through care of others and production of something that contributes to the betterment of society, which Erikson calls generativity, so when we're in this stage we often fear inactivity and meaninglessness. As our children leave home, or our relationships or goals change, we may be faced with major life changes — the mid-life crisis — and struggle with finding new meanings and purposes. If we don't get through this stage successfully, we can become self-absorbed and stagnate. Significant relationships are within the workplace, the community and the family.
Late Adulthood: 55 or 65 to Death
Ego Development Outcome: Integrity vs. Despair
Basic Strengths: Wisdom
Erikson felt that much of life is preparing for the middle adulthood stage and the last stage is recovering from it. Perhaps that is because as older adults we can often look back on our lives with happiness and are content, feeling fulfilled with a deep sense that life has meaning and we've made a contribution to life, a feeling Erikson calls integrity. Our strength comes from a wisdom that the world is very large and we now have a detached concern for the whole of life, accepting death as the completion of life.
On the other hand, some adults may reach this stage and despair at their experiences and perceived failures. They may fear death as they struggle to find a purpose to their lives, wondering "Was the trip worth it?" Alternatively, they may feel they have all the answers (not unlike going back to adolescence) and end with a strong dogmatism that only their view has been correct.