Question

Discuss the main issues (select some) that men and women must confront during the middle and late adulthood years.

How does their internal world help or impede their ability to cope?

How does the environment either help or impede their ability to confront and cope with these issues?

The textbook offers alternative theories to Erikson in explaining the middle and late adulthood years.

Choose the theory that you think most adequately explains development during this period and tell us why you think this way.

Answer 1

During the middle and late adulthood years, individuals face multiple issues. They must first grapple with the fact that they are no longer at the peak of their physiological and cognitive functioning and are required to cope with the decline of the same. After a certain age, many signs of aging become apparent. These include gray and thinning hair, wrinkles, the need for reading and bifocal eyeglasses, and some hearing loss. Internal organs undergo changes as well, with some decline in the major organs, including the lungs, heart, and digestive system. All of these are likely to cause generate stress among these individuals and even lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

For middle-aged and older adults, the environment too impedes their ability to cope with the process of aging. Unexpected job changes and decreased opportunities for employment not only creates financial stress but is also linked to a decline in the level of self-esteem and a sense of security about the future. In addition, these adults also need to deal with the pressures of taking care of their families, in terms of caring for and providing resources to their aging spouses, children, and their own parents.

Please post the other questions separately as we are supposed to answer just one question or four subparts of the same question.