May 17, 2013
1. What are some of the strengths associated with the Pro side of the issue? What are some of the weaknesses?
When
it comes to the question of whether professional women are opting out of the
workplace, those who agree make a strong argument that it is not a question of
education, qualification, or pay but rather of their own thoughts about the
value of child-rearing and household responsibilities. This line of thinking may also confirm the
“’regime effect’” according to Linda Hirsman, as restated by Guest (2011),
which “means that even if women don’t quit their jobs for their families,
they think they should and feel guilty about not doing it” (p. 349). The weakness in this line of thinking goes
back to blaming the feminist movement for pushing women into professional roles
that ultimately women did not want.
Furthermore, this line of thinking indicates that professional women
whom opt out of professional work are somehow devaluing the ideology of
feminism; women ruling the world.
2. What are some of the strengths associated with the Con side of the issue? What are some of the weaknesses?
Those who say no to the
implications of opting out of the work place cite inflexibility of the working
environment itself as the reason they choose to give up high powered
careers. According to Guest (2011),
Pamela Stone suggests that women have no choice but to quit due to the
constraints between home and family requirements and increasing professional demands. Stone also indicates that even when women choose
to move to part time work, it eventually crept back into full time hours. Some of the weaknesses associated with this
viewpoint are the strong internal pulls that women have to remain with their
infant children and the additional demands of ensuring that their children are
involved in premium educational opportunities and social activities that
require parental involvement.
3. Based on the statements presented in this critical issue, which author do you agree with? Provide supporting evidence.
Although there is greater
equality in the workplace than at any other time in history, this argument in
itself reflects that there are still hurdles that need to be overcome. As indicated by both Hirsman and Stone, women
in general have a strong yearning to have it all, both family and career;
however, once children actually enter the scene there are many difficulties
that come into play. A woman’s own
thoughts and values, along with that of her husband or significant other can
pull her in two different directions; 1) a desire to spend quality time with
the child or children versus 2) the desire to contribute significantly to a professional
career. It is my opinion (as a career
woman myself) that Stone’s statements are more representative of what actually
takes place; that the majority of professional women are not opting out of the
workplace, but rather they are pushed out by the ever increasing demands of their
chosen profession, along with the inflexibility of the job itself. In America, women have been nurtured to
believe that the workforce is flexible and they will work with women who have
children. Only to find that their
opportunities become limited, which create more difficulty than
flexibility. Because of the struggle
created by such conflict (family versus work) undue stress is added, which
affects both a woman’s physiological health, and that of the children.
4. Explore two other roles that can be acquired during early and middle adulthood, such as through parenthood, romantic relationships, and career. How have these roles changed through the past generations?
In
generations past, the role of the caregiver typically fell on the shoulders of
the female role model, thus impressing upon early and middle adulthood that
caring for children is the responsibility of the female. However, more recently men have taken to
staying at home to become the primary caregiver. However, in most socioeconomic households it is
not uncommon for there to be either a single parent or two earner income scenarios,
thus leaving the primary care of the children to institutional daycare
providers.
Another
role that young adults acquire from their parents is the traditional roles of
sexual intimacy and marriage. As divorce
has become more of the norm rather than the exception, the traditional
expectation that one must marry before becoming sexually intimate with a
partner is giving way to a committed cohabitation without marriage. Thus, there is no need for the difficulties
that come with a broken marriage.
5. What psychological adjustments are made during early and middle adulthood to adapt to aging and changes in life style? How does this affect development?
During early adulthood, individuals are coping with the
biosocial and psychosocial changes to their physical being. Young adults are searching the world around
them for ways to demonstrate their intellect and independence (e.g., school,
work, and relationships). Intimacy
becomes a higher priority to most young adults particularly as they struggle
for independence from their parents. At
this stage of development, many young adults leave the comforts of their
parent’s home for the unknown challenges of college or begin his or her own
household, which entail work, community involvement, and more intimate relationships
of their own. Marriage, children, and
meaningful careers are typical during this period of time. In decades past men worked and women stayed
home to tend the children and house; however, the women’s movement has begun to
level the workforce statistics; now more than ever more women are holding
professional roles. In the same light,
what was deemed “women’s work” is being accomplished by both men and women
(Berger, 2011, p. 600).
Middle adulthood covers an expansive period of time; some
40 years between the ages of 25 to 65. As
adults enter into middle adulthood, many have established or begun to establish
his or her families and the routines of his or her adult lifestyle;
relationships, children, work, and community.
During this time period those whose children enter into early adulthood
will begin to experience, what is known as the empty-nest syndrome; a period of
adjustment after the children leave.
Although some may experience grief around this situation, others use
this time period to reengage in their romantic relationship with his or her
spouse or significant other.
Physical appearance during middle adulthood is a time of
change in both skin elasticity, decreasing pigment in the hair, and changes in
both agility and body shape (Berger, 2011).
Although sexuality is possible throughout life, and men may be able to reproduce
throughout their lives, around the age
of 50 women will begin to experience one of the greatest changes of their life
as they enter into menopause; a period of time when women “cease producing
estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone” (Berger, 2011, p. 557). However; for some women the lack of ovulation
and menstrual cycles creates a new found freedom. For others there are physical and
psychological consequences. For men, a
drop in testosterone levels may decrease their sexual desire and muscle mass, a
time that has been called “the male menopause” (p.558). Men who experience erectile dysfunction (ED;
the inability to achieve an erection or to maintain an erection) can experience
considerable psychological difficulties because men’s self-image is largely
based on their ability to achieve and maintain an erection, which “effect a
man’s day-to-day relationships with [spouse,] friends, and work colleagues” (Boer,
Hatzichristou, Heaton, & Tailor, 2006, p. 770).
Another change during the later stages of middle adulthood
is declining mental functions, such as slowed memory recall and deductive
reasoning. Regardless of whether this
decline is caused by deterioration or disease the decrease in cognitive
function does not mean that elderly people are unable to function on their
own. Cognitive development throughout the adult lifespan requires continual
usage. As with any other skill, practice
is required to maintain optimal levels of cognition (Stint-Morrow & Chui,
2012). That stated, Stint-Morrow and
Chui (2012) further note there are several factors that contribute to one’s
cognitive resilience such as over-all health; educational and intellectual
engagement opportunities; and social support.
One of the leading factors to good mental health for middle adulthood is
good physical health. Researchers are
finding that one of the best methods to continue both physical and mental
fitness in middle adulthood is through aerobic exercise, which promotes cell
growth within the hippocampus (Stint-Morrow & Chui, 2012). Early educational experiences impact the
number of cognitive and neural pathways available throughout life, and for
those who continue intellectual stimulation, greater resilience is maintained
as he or she age. Another key factor to
the continuation of an active cognitive life is the social aspect; the ability
to actively socialize with a large number of people, while engaging in
different activities reflect a reduced rate of memory decline (James, Wilson,
& Barnes, 2011; as restated by Stint-Morrow & Chui, 2012). Cognition is an active ongoing process; thus
things such as exercise, engaging activities, and social support can lead to a
more resilient cognitive lifestyle.
References:
Berger,
K.S. (2011). The developing person through the life span (8th ed.).
New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Dean, J.,
Boer, B. d., Graziottin, A., Hatzichristou, D., Heaton, J. & Tailor, A.
(2006). The role of erection hardness in determining erectile dysfunction (ED)
treatment outcome. European Urology
Supplements. 5(13)767-772. doi:10.1016/j.eursup.2006.06.004
Guest, A.
(2011). Taking sides: Clashing views in life-span development (3rd ed.).
New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Stint-Morrow,
E., & Chui, H. (2012). Cognitive resilience in adulthood. Annual Review
of Gerontology & Geriatrics, 32, 93-X. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/922382235?accountid=35812
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