PSYC-290N Week 7 Course Project II: My Virtual Life – Young/Middle/Late Adulthood: Section 3-60 to 80 years

Regardless of whether you are a parent or step-parent in your virtual life that you are leading, why do you think many parents report difficulties in maintaining or increasing intimacy with their adult children? In your answer, consider that for some parents their children often provide a perceived source of validation of their own beliefs, values, & st&ards. What are some reasons why or how children might resist their parents' desires to maintain a close intimacy with them? When people start transitioning from adolescence to young adults, they start to develop their own beliefs, values, & st&ards, based on their own experiences. These newly formed ideas could be conflicting what their parents believe. The opposing views could create a problematic relationship, rather than an intimate one. These young adults begin to explore new realms in life & they could eventually start to disagree with what their parents have told them in the past. Sometimes older adults hesitate to give their adult children or other family members unsolicited advice or feedback because it might cause tension in the relationship if that feedback is negative. How do you feel about giving younger adults your advice or opinions, particularly if it might cause tension? Are there times when it is appropriate or inappropriate to give someone unsolicited advice? Draw on your own experiences or even your virtual person to provide examples. I feel that it is acceptable to offer advice to a young adult, regardless if it will cause tension. In today’s society, I’ve noticed that younger adults tend to be more tense about almost everything, anyhow. However, most of the time younger adults need that guidance or opinion in their life. Additionally, young adults can be knuckleheads, who require a dose of tough love. But this situation correlates with the saying, “it’s not about what you’re saying, it’s about how you’re saying it.” I genuinely believe that determining whether something is appropriate or inappropriate is subjective. Likewise, I believe that there is always a tactful way of delivering your message effectively, regardless of the situation. Whether that means changing your approach, cooling down for a minute before engaging, or taking a few days to generate a levelheaded response, there is always a way. Based upon the theory & research about mid-life crises discussed in your textbook & class, how might you explain a 40-something-year-old family member's sudden change towards unpredictable behaviors & emotionality? When a person experience’s a mid-life crisis, they may allow their insecurities consume them. Examples of insecurities would be feeling as if you’ve done nothing with your life, feeling as if you’ve done things but have nothing to show for, or feeling as if you messed up early on in life & therefore are paying for your actions. For people who succumb to these negative thoughts, they’re constant reminders of what isn’t their reality. These insecurities then provoke people to reflect on their age, how they feel like is almost over for them, & how they want to die feeling accomplished. In turn, this ideology stimulates impulsive & outl&ish behaviors, purchases & emotions. Suddenly a 40-year-old leaves his wife for a younger woman, buys a new sports car, & owns a mansion.