Presents a critique of research on midlife adult career development, outlining a multidimensional theory based on the work of Levinson, Super, Erickson, Hall, and others. Elaborates some limitations of life stage research and discusses implications for education-work policy and practice. (SK)

Examined motivations and outcomes of mid-life career change among men who left professional careers between ages 34 and 54. Changers differed in amount of education completed, additional schooling undertaken, time taken to make changes, radicalness of change, and importance of personal values. Respondents were highly satisfied with their career…

Provides insight into how principals can become more dynamic resources for career development in schools at all educational levels. (JOW)

Thirty-seven men with adolescent children had their testosterone levels measured and then responded to questionnaires on marriage, parent-child relationships, and midlife crises. Results indicated a significant inverse correlation between male midlife stress and the quality of father-adolescent communication. (MDM)

Increasing numbers of midcareer personnel in the work force necessitate innovative management methods to deal with motivation, obsolescence, and plateauing. Organizational approaches include restructuring, reward system, career management techniques, and education and training. (SK)

When interviews with 74 people over 60 were analyzed using a grounded theory approach, developmental change was found to occur in five age-independent periods: (1) continuity with middle age; (2) early transition; (3) revised lifestyle; (4) later transition; and (5) final period. (SK)

Considers question of shifts in artistic and literary style from lifespan developmental perspective, focusing on change during midlife. Using Samuel Beckett as example, demonstrates relationship between his abrupt shift to playwriting and his entrance into midlife. Notes that theories of lifespan personality development suggest parallels between…

The relationships that career counselors have with employing organizations have become important, due to the current frequency of job changes. Presents a model to clarify needs, and discusses two problems that arise: the need to reconcile individual and organizational perspectives, and the need to look at careers in terms of life-career purpose as…

Proposes that counselors who use an integrative approach to menopause can not only provide accurate biomedical information but also conceptualize menopause as a normative midlife transition. Provides a foundation in biomedical issues and considers how these in interaction with cultural and psychosocial factors influence the experience of…

Few studies have addressed the effects of teacher education generally, no less the specific program elements necessary to prepare competent and caring teachers. As a result, to address teacher shortages in science, mathematics, and special education, alternatives to traditional preparation have been proposed, and their development has proceeded…

For the healthy midlife adult, the second half of life provides a balance for the first half: men become more nurturant while women become more aggressive. The definition of the midlife woman is tied to the family cycle, when her children leave home. Marital satisfaction often increases after the children are gone and relinquishing her role as…

This document identifies patterns of characteristics of those who have leisure as an option at mid-life. A comparison was made between individuals electing to enter teaching and those electing to pursue leisure at this life stage. Results of structured interviews, statistical results, and an analysis of a life satisfaction scale is given. In…

The study attempted to assess career development concerns of 381 military personnel enrolled in an off-campus baccalaureate degree program. Results suggest that workers exposed to specialized work and training environments, such as the military, may have career development concerns that are difficult to assess with traditional instruments. (CH)

Examined the impact of career orientation and demographic variables on retirement attitudes, intended age of retirement, and retirement preparation among university employees (N=213). Results indicated that occupational status is associated with unique patterns of career orientation as well as differences in anticipated age of retirement.…

Argues that two major transitions in a teacher's professional development offer inherent possibilities for occupational growth--the tenth year, in which teachers opt for a classroom career, and the twentieth year, which marks a major alteration in attitudes towards students and towards the process of aging. (Author/WD)