Life is short. This is a famous phrase that emphasizes the agency in life. This is characterized by both physical and psychological changes but expressed explicitly by the physical changes. The early and middle adult years are full of changes that are brought about by several factors such as cellular and molecular changes as well as diets and physical exercise, (Dean and Herman, 2000). This essay describes the social and intimate relationship changes, the evolution of roles as well as the immediate and future impact of the habits practiced during the early and middle adulthood. Understanding the changes that occur during the aging phase is essential for people to prepare for adulthood as well as prevent the stigma that the community may have against the aged
Social and intimate relationships evolve and change during early and middle adulthood. The ability to create an independent and productive life is perhaps the most significant indicator of adulthood. Adults must make their living, unlike adolescents and children who are always supported by their parents. The needs of an adult are also different from those of the children and adolescents. There are a lot of significant life events that occur during early and middle adulthood. Even though the timing of these events varies considerably from one individual to another, they generally follow the same sequence that is known as the social clock. The social clock is considered as the "right time" to do certain significant life events and decisions according to a particular community and culture. The society expects typically to move out of their parents' house, marry, have children, and make other life events at a given age. The people who do not move by this clock, such as those who choose not to marry or have children are considered unusual, and the community may stigmatize them.
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The life expectancy in most of the developed countries is roughly 70 years. Although there is no sign for entering adulthood unlike for adolescence, the early adulthoods are considered to generally cover between 20 to 40 years while middle adulthood is between 40 and 65. The social life in early adulthood involves developing the ability to share intimacy and share intimate love life. It is during this period where individuals form long-term relationships that result in marriages and children. Also, it is at this stage where individuals are faced with crucial career decisions. According to research, divorce is more likely among people who marry during adolescent, those raised by single parents as well as couple who are dissimilar in age, attractiveness, personality, and intelligence. Also, separation is common among early adults who do not have children. It even at this stage where most of the divorcees remarry, and the children may be exposed to more than one set of parents. The work and career choices made not only affect the socioeconomic status of any individual but also other aspects of life, such as child care, residence, political value, and friends. Apart from income, other factors come into play, such as satisfaction, challenges, security, recognition, and achievements. This a vibrant stage and the adult is craving for social fulfillment and intimate relationships.
Middle adulthood great concern is to the welfare of future generations and contributes to the world through work and family. Here individuals start to accept the physiological changes such as menopause and they begin to adjust accordingly. They become more involved in nurturing their children into becoming responsible adults as well as caring for aging adults. They have little desire for intimate love life; instead, they concentrate on achieving civil and social responsibility. It is at this stage that individuals also start to develop leisure –time activities. The midlife crisis is a common phenomenon that is caused by the realization that one has spent half of the expected age. This stage makes people make drastic turn-around decisions to attain their life goals while others become contented in their life and find ways in which to find satisfaction through work and family.
There are role changes that occur during early and middle adulthood. Both physical and psychological factors contribute to these changes. As people get older, the energy levels decrease, and the immunity system also weakens. The aging is promoted by primary factors such as oxidative damage and decline in cellular functions as well as secondary factors such as poor diet and unhealthy lifestyles. During early adulthood, individuals are more concerned about their life and focus on crucial decisions such as marriage and career paths. The parenting tactics used in early adulthood may be changed to different tactics that favor the changes in middle adulthood. During early adulthood, an individual is physically mature with high energy levels that allow them to perform some duties and roles that they cannot accomplish due to tissue damage and decline in cellular functions.
As people age, a pattern of habit is developed between a given age group. The immediate and future impact of healthy and unhealthy habits practiced during early, and middle adulthood is a concern for psychologists and other health practitioners. The healthy habits adopted during the early and middle adulthood include physical exercise, balanced diet, having enough sleep, and avoiding binge drinking and drug abuse. These habits significantly contribute to primary aging factors. Given all factors constant, a binge drinking individual will age faster compared to a non-alcoholic individual (Kishi, 2015). These health habits contribute to good social ties such as healthy families and career advancements in an individual. Also, healthy habits reduce the chances of suffering from diseases and illness since they promote a sound immune system. Healthy habits lead to a decent life with consistency in their roles and responsibilities. Also, it contributes to a longer life-span since the immune system is not rapidly degraded.
The unhealthy habits that early and middle adults may age in include heavy drinking, smoking, poor diet, gaining weight, as well as other drug and substance abuse. These habits are closely associated with immediate and long-term health complications (Zheng, 2017). The direct effects include poor interpersonal relations that contribute to divorce and poor parenting. Tobacco and alcohol use interferes with the cognitive ability of an individual leading to poor decision making which affects the interpersonal relations as well as career development, (Kaarin, Keith Dear, and Anthony, 2005). Midlife crisis is associated with a lot of these unhealthy habits. These habits consequently lead to a reduced life span due to the weakening of the immune system as well as inviting lifestyle diseases such as stroke, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
In summary, the early and middle adulthood is characterized by so many changes brought about primary and secondary aging factors. The physical and psychological abilities change drastically and lead to social changes and roles. The social life in early adulthood involves developing the ability to share intimacy and share intimate love life. Middle adulthood great concern is the welfare of future generations and contributes to the world through work and family. Understanding the changes that occur during the aging phase is essential for people to prepare for adulthood as well as prevent the stigma that the community may have against the aged.
References
Dean D. Von Dras and Herman T. Blumenthal (2000). Biological, Social-Environmental, and Psychological Dialecticism: An Integrated Model of Aging. Aging and Development Program. Department of Psychology. Washington University, St. Louis
Kaarin J. Anstey, Keith Dear, Helen Christensen, and Anthony F. Jorm (2005). Biomarkers, health, lifestyle, and demographic variables as correlates of reaction time performance in early, middle, and late adulthood. Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Kishi, S., Teixido-Tura, G., Ning, H., Venkatesh, B. A., Wu, C., Almeida, A., ... & Gidding, S. S. (2015). Cumulative blood pressure in early adulthood and cardiac dysfunction in middle age: the CARDIA study. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 65(25), 2679-2687.
Zheng, Y., Manson, J. E., Yuan, C., Liang, M. H., Grodstein, F., Stampfer, M. J., ... & Hu, F. B. (2017). Associations of weight gain from early to middle adulthood with primary health outcomes later in life. Jama, 318(3), 255-269.
