The Journey of Adulthood

Summary (from the publisher): This best-selling book discusses the aspects of "successful aging," covering growth and development from young adulthood to old age, and the impact that culture, gender, and individual differences have on these processes. Its conversational and positive tone keeps readers interested in the subject matter, as it encourages them to apply the concepts of the book to their own lives. It presents research findings, theories, and models from the fields of developmental psychology, social psychology, health psychology, sociology, and others to discuss topics of prevention, compensation, gains, and losses. For psychologists, sociologists, and gerontologists interested in a valuable resource for information about the aging process.

Review: I read this text book as part of my master's program for a class entitled "Adult Development: Emerging Adulthood and Beyond." This text covers numerous aspects of adult life from young adulthood through death and bereavement. Topics covered include physical changes, health and health disorders, cognitive abilities, social roles, social relationships, work and retirement, personality, the quest for meaning, and stress and coping.

This book is written in a very conversational style, with the author frequently sharing her own opinion, and anecdotes from her own life. For example, in the first chapter, the author shares her own adult experiences including her experience with motherhood at a young age and re-entering education at a much later age than the majority of her peers. In fact, each chapter of the book starts out with an individual's story on some aspect related to adult development. I really enjoyed the personal quality this gave the book. Overall, I really enjoyed this text and the accompanying class, particularly because it is something that everyone can relate to personally. I feel fortunate to have read it in my 20s, since many aspects of the book regarding adult life lie ahead of me, meaning I can now anticipate stages of my adult life based on themes identified in this text.

Several chapters I found really interesting included the one on social relationships, which described how daughters are the most frequent caregiver of aging parents, and sisters are the ones who provide the glue for a family network. It was also fascinating reading some of the risk factors for unhappy marriages and divorce, which include: having divorced parents, having lived together before marriage, knowing each other only a short time before getting married, and having a hard time communicating. Further, it was interesting to see that the three types of stable or enduring marriages are validating marriages, volatile marriages, and avoidance marriages, compared to the more divorce-prone hostile negative marriages and emotionally unexpressive marriages. I also enjoyed the chapter on trends in work and retirement, especially the details on women's careers.

This text does a good job of remaining positive. The unfortunate side of adult development is most of is ultimately downhill. Adults progressively lose physical and cognitive abilities and ultimately die. However, although much of aging process is dictated by our genetics and uncontrollable circumstances, Bjorklund points out that we also have a hand in our aging process with lifestyle choices. Aging and growing older is part of life, yet Bjorklund illustrates that we can each age well. By laying bare the realities of adult life, it seems less overwhelming, and more like a normal and natural progression.

Stars: 4