Generativity and Adult Development: How and Why We Care for the Next Generation

Generativity is the adult's concern for and commitment to promoting the next generation through parenting, teaching, mentoring and generating products and outcomes that aim to benefit a world that will outlive the self. Almost fifty years ago, Erik Erikson introduced this concept in his famous eight-stage model of human development as the seventh stage of the life cycle, generation vs. stagnation. A new, interdisciplinary wave of scholarship has linked generativity in contemporary life. Thus, a new, interdisciplinary wave of scholarship has linked generativity to such ideas as creativity, leadership, altruism, social responsibility, citizenship and volunteerism. This book brings together a distinguished roster of contributors of adult lives, replete with many clinical illustrations. Among the many intriguing questions that the authors ask are the following: Do highly generative individuals demonstrate higher levels of mental health and well-being? What is the relation between generativity and religious, political and community involvement? How to men and women differ in their experience of generativity? How did it manifest itself in the lives of such artists as Frank Lloyd Wright or Martha Graham? The reader should find here ideas and clinical wisdom about how adults fashion their lives to promote the ensuing generations and leave an enduring legacy.