Highlights a changing, rather than static view, of the story of "Snow White" by interpreting the story's symbol of the mirror in three roles: guide, trap, and tool of wholeness. Suggests that these interpretations illustrate that developmental processes that entrap individuals may constitute necessary developmental steps and that gains…

Although it may be so subtle that it is not noticed or sudden and life altering, adult development occurs in a cycle of four inherent processes: transaction, transition, transformation, and transcendence. These processes exist in a cycle characterized by growth and development. The processes can be defined as follows: (1) transaction--personal,…

Uses the story of "Snow White" to examine issues regarding self and midlife development, especially for women. Considers issues of beauty, image, power, generativity, intimacy, identity, and integration. Suggests that this story illustrates a major midlife task, that of coming to terms with earlier images of oneself in order to develop a…

Explores some of the possible distinctive traits of midlife suicides, which include: loss of spouse, years of heavy drinking, reaching the age of high depression risk, and occupational problems. Midlife suicides tend to be highest among white males, although female suicide rates peak in midlife. The paper concludes with a review of assessment and…

Argues that an understanding of the dynamics of life transitions is crucial to effective adult education programs. Examines the "stage/phase" theory of transitions, maintaining that transitions occur in predictable sequences, and the "life event" theory, which views transitions as the result of social processes. (22 citations) (MAB)

This study explores how women make decisions about educational transitions, focusing on the complex interaction of personal, social, cultural, economic, and institutional factors that influence women as they move from high school to work, from high school to college, and from the workforce back to school. It also compares men's and women's…