What Is The New Stage Of Development After You Turn 40?
Development and psychological growth doesn’t just occur during our younger years. It is a continuous journey that has ongoing effects on our personalities and shapes how we will be for the rest of our lives. However, that growth and development does change. When we reach the age of about 40, we enter into a new phase where we have to make different choices. This stage is called generativity vs. stagnation.
This is where we either start to seek out a more fulfilling and satisfying way of life, or we stay rooted in the same old way of doing things, unable to progress and take advantage of the experience and wisdom our past years should have given us.
The path you take determines how you will live the rest of your life and whether it will be fulfilling and satisfying or perhaps not so much. In this article, we look at the nuts and bolts of what generativity vs. stagnation means and how you can cultivate a generative outlook.
Erikson's Psychosocial Stages Of Development
Erik Erikson—an ego psychologist—is responsible for one of the most popular developmental theories around today. Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development span our entire lives, from birth to death. This theory suggests that personality development is split into eight predetermined stages that occur at different ages throughout life and that each has its own opposite and conflicting possibilities:
1. Oral sensory (birth up to 12, 18 months) - trust vs. mistrust
2. Muscular Anal (from 18 months to 3 years) - autonomy vs. shame/doubt
3. Locomotor (from 3 to 6 years) - initiative vs. guilt
4. Latency (from 6 to 12 years) - industry vs. inferiority
5. Adolescent (from 12 to 18 years) - identity vs. role confusion
6. Young adulthood (from 18 to 40 years) - intimacy vs. isolation
7. Middle adulthood (from 40 to 65 years) - generativity vs. stagnation
8. Maturity (from 65 to death) - ego integrity vs. despair
Each stage presents a unique binary conflict that the individual must confront and in order to age most beneficially, must choose appropriately. Erikson calls the appropriate choice a “virtue” and tells us that failure to choose it likely leads to a deficit of essential psychosocial skills.
The stage I want to concentrate on today is stage seven—generativity vs. stagnation, which is said to occur between the ages of 40 - 65, otherwise known as middle age. The virtue to be gained from this stage is “care.” Let’s take a look in detail at what “care” entails.
Care
As we age, our desire to make a positive impact on the world around us can increase significantly. We might start feeling the need to make our mark and achieve accomplishments that instill a sense of pride as well as provide a legacy for future generations.
Generativity refers to the desire to contribute positively to society and leave a lasting impression, while stagnation is the feeling of being stuck in a rut, unproductive and uninvolved in the surrounding world.
At some point during this stage, most individuals ask themselves, “How can I contribute to this world?” It’s this question that sets them on the path toward generativity rather than stagnation.
Generativity In Detail
Generativity involves engaging in behaviors that promote growth, productivity, and nurturing existing relationships. Individuals who embrace generativity frequently seek ways to make a meaningful impact on future generations and society as a whole. This can be achieved through various avenues, such as raising children, mentoring others, pursuing creative endeavors, having an enjoyable or meaningful job or contributing to community initiatives.
Generative individuals often experience a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction derived from their contributions and feel at peace that they have successfully made their mark in the world.
Stagnation In Detail
In contrast, stagnation arises when individuals start to feel unproductive and dissatisfied with their lives. It manifests as a sense of being stuck or lacking purpose.
Stagnation can lead to feelings of frustration, regret and a missed opportunity to contribute meaningfully to one's community or the lives of others. The absence of generativity may hinder self-improvement and invoke a sense of resignation or bitterness that your life just isn’t significant.
Feeling stagnated can also lead to self-centered behaviors and the unwillingness to help others or act in a selfless manner. Understandably, this can have a negative effect on others and place a strain on relationships.
Choosing Correctly
To focus on generativity and avoid stagnation, it’s crucial to practice self-reflection and awareness of your personal goals and desires. Taking time to understand what you truly value and to identify your passions and aspirations can provide a roadmap for a successful generative path.
Once you understand what your generative goals are, you can better align your efforts toward achieving them. Seeking opportunities for personal growth and development is another important aspect of generativity and is a natural follow-up to determining your true values and aspirations.
Whether that’s pursuing further education, pivoting your career, trying a new hobby or activity or engaging in other fulfilling endeavors, doing so can foster personal growth and also enhance your ability to contribute meaningfully to society.
Yet another way to cultivate generativity is through mentoring, volunteering or participating in community initiatives. By investing your time and energy in activities that benefit others, you will more likely satisfy your need for a feeling of fulfillment and to leave a lasting impact.
Conclusion
Generativity vs. stagnation is a critical stage in Erikson's Psychosocial Stages of Development. Embracing generativity allows you to experience personal growth, fulfillment and the satisfaction of making a positive impact on society, which can enhance a meaningful legacy that could extend far beyond your lifespan. It means not resting on your laurels and continuing to learn, grow and reach out.
This article was initially published in Forbes