1. Adult Development

2. Young Adulthood 20-40 years old
Most people reach their physical peak when they are about 25
Life path at 20 will most likely not be your life path at age 30
New job, find a mate, start a family, etc.

3. Gender Differences Women Men How many more years can I have children?
Feeling that they are going to not be able to have kids
Stress of caring for the family and working
Men
Stress of being the “bread winner”
New family adds more to this pressure

4. Relationships
Once adults form their identity, it is much easier to have a stable and intimate relationship
Close and trusting relationships where one can be honest without fear of rejection
Those that don’t have intimate relationships can start pattern of loneliness and isolation

5. Marriage Median age of marriage Marry people who are similar
Men: 27, Women: 25
Marry people who are similar
4% interracial
90% same religious views
Men are usually 2-5 years older than their mate

6. Divorce More than ¼ of all children live in a single parent home
Why is divorce more common?
Easier to gain
Financial security of the mother
Spousal abuse, child abuse, infidelity, illness, money, communication, high expectations
Financial Costs
Mothers usually responsible for the children
Fathers pay child support and alimony
Majority remarry

7. Children of Divorce
More likely to have behavior problems, substance abuse, and lower grades
Boys often have a harder time dealing with and adjusting to parental conflict and divorce
Marital conflict and fighting can cause serious psychological distress on children and adolescents
Conflicts can make relationships with children strained and can cause problems for the children in their own relationships

8. Middle and Late Adulthood

9. Middle Adulthood 40-65 Middle Transition Mid-life Crisis
Men: 40-45, Women: 35-40
Critical Event often occurs
Mid-life Crisis
45-65
Reassessment of life
What will I do with the rest of my life?

10. Life Changes Empty Nest Syndrome Menopause
Emptiness and loneliness after children leave
Increased freedom
Menopause
End of menstruation in women
Hormonal changes
Hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings
Can be stressful

11. Late Adulthood 65 and older Physical Changes Wrinkles and skin folds
Senses of sight, hearing, and smell decrease
Memory begins to fade

12. Why do we age? Programmed theories Cellular Damage theory
Biological clocks move forward
Cells can only divide so many times
Cells become less able to repair themselves and are vulnerable to diseases like cancer
Cellular Damage theory
Cells malfunction due to damage
Free Radicals accumulate in the body
Environmental agents, digestion, UV light, pollution, pesticides, and heat

13. Cognitive Changes Memory declines Dementia Senile Dementia
After age 65
Alzheimer’s Disease
Progressive form of mental deterioration
10% of 65+, 50% of 85+
Vascular Dementia
Blood vessels in the brain burst

14. Social Changes Retirement Become a grandparent Living Arraingments
Ego Identity
Belief that life is meaningful and worth living after physical abilities decline