Mid-Life Crisis, Essay Example

Midlife crisis is a term which is used to describe a period of dramatic self development which is usually felt by some individuals in the middle years or middle age. This period is normally characterized by traumatic transitions such as extramarital affairs, andropause menopause, death of parents, grief, unemployment as well as underemployment (Nurmi, 2002).

According to the proponent of Moderate Definition the Term” midlife crisis” is described basing on stage view development. The proponents argue that middle adulthood is a phase which requires an individual to take stock as well as review previous accomplishments. At this stage life course is well structured and based on age related social norms as well as expectations. Most of the social expectations at this stage are based on professional and family developmental milestones such as achieving one’s profession as well as starting up a family (Nurmi, 2002).

This implies that middle adulthood is a stage of achieving and evaluating one’s achievements in respect to expectations. The moderate definition of “midlife crisis” tends to predict a transition from the old to new goals and according to research it is always a challenging period. According to moderate definition middle phase is always is a challenging period which normally results in crisis for vulnerable people (Nurmi, 2002).

The other proponent is the Lenient Concept which actually addresses the mere conditions which entails middle adulthood. It therefore makes a clear diagnosis of challenging phases in the life span. The notion of middle adulthood as a time where an individual encounters challenges is very important to individual life management as well as a core principle of lenient concept of midlife crisis (Nurmi, 2002).

This concept therefore doesn’t recognize the occurrence of midlife crisis as being normative. Lenient conceptualization therefore is very important in understanding life span development which views middle adulthood as a time when people are confronted with age associated challenges. These challenges normally arise from life review and social comparison processes which are normally triggered by a certain age (Heckhausen, 1999).

Women tend to adjust constantly throughout the life cycle when midlife arrives hence at this stage women will complain, whine, talk to their friends, sisters and coworkers about their problems but men will suffer in silence. During these period men gets frustrated hence end up drinking a lot and spending money carelessly. Some men may end up providing capital for the family though others may end up abandoning their families. At the same time women seem to be stronger hence they will preserve the financial constraint as well as provide emotional support to their husbands (Brim, 2004).

References

Brim, O. (2004). Theories of the male mid-life crisis. New York: Macmillian

Heckhausen, J. (1999).Developmental Regulation in Adulthood: Age-Normative and Sociostructural Constraints as Adaptive Challaneges. NewYork: Cambridge University Press,

Nurmi J. (2002). Age differences in adult life goals, concerns, and their temporal extension: a lifecourse approach to future-oriented.London:Sage