Essay Sample on Old Age Human Development

Introduction

Human development depicts the process of broadening the prospects and autonomies of people and enhancing their general welfare. As such, it is about real freedom whereby ordinary people can decide what to do and where to live among other elements. Through the field of developmental psychology, progression, modification, and stability through the lifespan can be explored. It will be easy to assess how the elements of feeling, thinking, and behavior change through the life of an individual. Old age is a developmental stage that has various issues to be assessed such as intellectual changes and other forms of defects. The essay will thus explore a personal view of old age influenced by the developmental theories of aging and the impact of some social theories on older adulthood.

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Old age has a direct relation to the distribution of power, privilege, and resources. Old adults are usually viewed as not very productive members of the community or even irrelevant. Also, individuals are typically aware of the decline in status associated with growing old. Therefore, it is evident that it is fundamental for people to begin adjusting early enough before they are viewed as old. In this way, the aspect of age stratification in society will not have an adverse impact on these people.

On the other hand, old age is not only linked with negative aspects such as being dependent. There is also general stability of essential personality traits which are likely to change over time. It is important for people to understand old people especially when they modify their personality since it is affected by features such as the social setting. Their attachment to certain things modifys and what they viewed as relevant at forty years is not the same when they are eighty years for instance. Old age is thus not a bad stage when one is well prepared. It is critical to ensure that people are prepared mentally or psychologically for this last stage of life which as observed, comes with challenges. When people are well prepared on what to expect at a personal and societal level, they will then enjoy old age and even accept any help given to them since they may not be in a position to undertake specific daily duties.

Pecks's developmental tasks have outlined what occurs during the final life stages of an individual. As such, it is vital to comprehend that even old age has stages whereby people experience specific emotional changes. There is the redefinition of self versus preoccupation with work. In this case, it is vital for people in old age to redefine themselves in certain ways that do not recount to their guidelines of work or occupation. When people retire, they usually undergo a specific adjustment which is generally difficult and has an effect on the way they will view themselves (Feldman, 2017). Therefore, people in old age need to regulate their principles and lay less prominence on themselves as workers and more on abilities that do not constitute work. Additionally, through the ego transcendence versus ego preoccupation, old people need to prepare or comprehend that death is approaching. They need to understand that they have made relevant contributions to society and death is inevitable. In this way, they will die peacefully (Conte, Weiner & Plutchik, 1982).

Therefore, Pecks analysis of the development tasks that occur during the final stages of an individual has shown that old age is not entirely bad when one is well prepared. Older adulthood is something to look forward to when one is well prepared mentally or psychologically as they will readily accept what comes their way.

On the other hand, there is Erikson's Stage of Generativity versus Stagnation. In this stage, there is the feeling to offer something better through being active and cooperative either at home or in the society. Therefore, it is apparent that one can still be productive during old age and even contribute to the preservation and continuation of the values in their culture (Feldman, 2017). They can do this by, for instance, caring for children and being active through the creation of a stable setting meant for future generations. As such, an individual will feel more successful when they offer something significant that will benefit numerous people (McAdams & de St Aubin, 1992). It may further be depicted that satisfaction at this stage occurs when one gives back to society. Also, this stage does not require one to be selfish. Instead, they should be selfless and be concerned about others as well (Feldman, 2017). In this way, they will also be more interested in community affairs.

Levinson's theory of adult development has depicted that people enter late adulthood through a transition stage that occurs at sixty to sixty-five years. During the transition period, they view themselves as getting into the late adulthood or just being old. They end up struggling with the transition since they are aware of the stereotypes in the society concerning older adults and negative views among people as well towards such individuals. It is thus evident that old age is tough to accept especially when one confines themselves to the beliefs of society. People should be ready to accept the societal changes and views but at the same time find something useful to do that will have a positive impact on their life. For instance, the theory has depicted that during old age, people can act as resources to the young ones whereby they can offer relevant advice (Feldman, 2017). They can also find activities to partake since they will have a new form of freedom instead of just viewing themselves as a burden.

Conclusion

When I am old, I will find meaningful community activities to participate in that will give me joy and peace. I will join exercise, dancing and swimming classes which will enable me to get new friends and as such, boost my social life. Furthermore, I will also participate in activities that seek to promote wellness for the old and young in society. For instance, emotional wellness entails the awareness and acceptance of one's feelings. It is also the capability to develop interdependent associations with other people by communal obligation, reverence, and confidence. On the other hand, I will highly value the participation in charity activities such as visiting centers for homeless children and spending time with them engaging in play among other practices. Giving back to the needy will also be another priority which I can do by joining voluntary groups participating in the cleaning of the community and visiting the sick and disabled as well. In this way, I will gain a sense of self-importance and view myself as a crucial member of the community.

References

Conte, H. H., Weiner, M.H., and Plutchik, R. (1982). Measuring death anxiety: Conceptual, psychometric, and factor analysis aspects. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 43, 775-785.

Feldman, R. (2017). Development across the life span (8th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.

McAdams, D. P., & de St Aubin, E. D. (1992). A theory of generativity and its assessment through self-report, behavioral acts, and narrative themes in autobiography. Journal of personality and social psychology, 62(6), 1003.