In the second half of our readings, it compels me to write about the current stage of the life span
that I am currently in. The thought of myself being in middle adulthood has been recently stuck
in my mind. More specifically, the idea of Erikson’s theory of generativity versus stagnation has
had me taking inventory in my life up to this point. Generativity involves reaching out to others
in ways that give to and guide the next generation (Berk, 2018, p. 435). The generative adult
combines the need for self-expression with the need for communication, integrating personal
goals with the welfare of the larger social world (McAdams, 2014, as cited in Berk, 2018, p.
435). The negative outcome of this stage is stagnation: Once people attain certain life goals, such
as marriage, children, and career successes, they may become self-centered and self-indulgent
(Berk, 2018, p. 436). It is becoming clearer to me why it is in this stage of the life span that most
adults go through what is called a midlife crisis. Personally, it is my belief that the reason for this
is because individuals in this stage of life are becoming aware of their own mortality; that one
day soon their life will be coming to an end.
By the way that Erikson defines this stage in the life span, generativity means that my current
aspirations and goals in life should now be set aside to focus on the next generation. There is a
bit of a connotation that by now I should have already attained success in my life, and now it is
time to drop anchor and become a mentor in the lives of younger generations. Continuing to
focus on myself from this point forward according to Erikson, makes me self-centered and self-
indulgent, leading to the negative outcome of stagnation. Instead of the two opposing poles that
Erikson presents, my own perspective leans more to Levinson’s Seasons of Life theories.
According to Levinson, to reassess and rebuild their life structure, middle-aged adults must
confront four developmental tasks. Each requires the individual to reconcile two opposing
tendencies within the self, attaining greater internal harmony (Berg, 2018, p. 437). Levinson’s
that I am currently in. The thought of myself being in middle adulthood has been recently stuck
in my mind. More specifically, the idea of Erikson’s theory of generativity versus stagnation has
had me taking inventory in my life up to this point. Generativity involves reaching out to others
in ways that give to and guide the next generation (Berk, 2018, p. 435). The generative adult
combines the need for self-expression with the need for communication, integrating personal
goals with the welfare of the larger social world (McAdams, 2014, as cited in Berk, 2018, p.
435). The negative outcome of this stage is stagnation: Once people attain certain life goals, such
as marriage, children, and career successes, they may become self-centered and self-indulgent
(Berk, 2018, p. 436). It is becoming clearer to me why it is in this stage of the life span that most
adults go through what is called a midlife crisis. Personally, it is my belief that the reason for this
is because individuals in this stage of life are becoming aware of their own mortality; that one
day soon their life will be coming to an end.
By the way that Erikson defines this stage in the life span, generativity means that my current
aspirations and goals in life should now be set aside to focus on the next generation. There is a
bit of a connotation that by now I should have already attained success in my life, and now it is
time to drop anchor and become a mentor in the lives of younger generations. Continuing to
focus on myself from this point forward according to Erikson, makes me self-centered and self-
indulgent, leading to the negative outcome of stagnation. Instead of the two opposing poles that
Erikson presents, my own perspective leans more to Levinson’s Seasons of Life theories.
According to Levinson, to reassess and rebuild their life structure, middle-aged adults must
confront four developmental tasks. Each requires the individual to reconcile two opposing
tendencies within the self, attaining greater internal harmony (Berg, 2018, p. 437). Levinson’s
