Middle Adulthood Essay Example
Middle Adulthood
In the early 1900’s, the average life expectancy was forty-seven; however, medical advances now allow for the average life-span to last well into a person’s sixties. As a result of people living longer, it has now become an area for professionals to study life during the later age periods. The ages thirty to fifty-five are called middle adulthood and people are no longer restricted by parents or society and follow career paths of their choosing. It is a time where people socialize with whom they wish, get married, have children, and live whatever lifestyle they chose. The subject of my middle adulthood interview was Kelly, a thirty-nine year old female that weighs one hundred thirty-eight pounds and is five-foot nine inches tall. She reached her peak physical abilities a few years ago and is steadily declining physically and mentally. Kelly is a lesbian and has been with her partner for the past five years. She was in a seven-year relationship prior, but stated “that things change as you grow older in what you look for in a partner.” She has a Bachelor’s degree and has been a police officer for the past 15 years. She owns a home in a middle-class neighborhood in Oak Cliff and has an active social life. She has no children, but plans on adopting in the near future. The reproductive process is typically complete for most people Kelly’s age.
Physically, Kelly is now experiencing what Erickson and Levinson refer to age-graded change: it is inevitable the physical changes she is going through. Her height is decreasing and she will lose an inch by the age of fifty-five. Her strength, bone density, vision, hearing, cardiac output, and kidney function are gradually declining and will continue to decline until death. Kelly stated that she carries more fat on her hips and stomach than she did when she was younger and her skin is also drier. She does have wrinkles around her eyes and forehead, much to her dismay. Kelly has run marathons in
In the early 1900’s, the average life expectancy was forty-seven; however, medical advances now allow for the average life-span to last well into a person’s sixties. As a result of people living longer, it has now become an area for professionals to study life during the later age periods. The ages thirty to fifty-five are called middle adulthood and people are no longer restricted by parents or society and follow career paths of their choosing. It is a time where people socialize with whom they wish, get married, have children, and live whatever lifestyle they chose. The subject of my middle adulthood interview was Kelly, a thirty-nine year old female that weighs one hundred thirty-eight pounds and is five-foot nine inches tall. She reached her peak physical abilities a few years ago and is steadily declining physically and mentally. Kelly is a lesbian and has been with her partner for the past five years. She was in a seven-year relationship prior, but stated “that things change as you grow older in what you look for in a partner.” She has a Bachelor’s degree and has been a police officer for the past 15 years. She owns a home in a middle-class neighborhood in Oak Cliff and has an active social life. She has no children, but plans on adopting in the near future. The reproductive process is typically complete for most people Kelly’s age.
Physically, Kelly is now experiencing what Erickson and Levinson refer to age-graded change: it is inevitable the physical changes she is going through. Her height is decreasing and she will lose an inch by the age of fifty-five. Her strength, bone density, vision, hearing, cardiac output, and kidney function are gradually declining and will continue to decline until death. Kelly stated that she carries more fat on her hips and stomach than she did when she was younger and her skin is also drier. She does have wrinkles around her eyes and forehead, much to her dismay. Kelly has run marathons in