How did demographic change create a new
phase of the life course called middle age?
Changing demographic trends have altered the
nature of the life course for each new cohort.
Until recently middle age did not exist as a separate
phase of the life course. It was created by
declining fertility and rising life expectancy,
which provided a married couple 20 or more
years alone together after their children had left
home.
What are the advantages and disadvantages
of cross-sectional and longitudinal research
for measuring life course changes? In crosssectional
research, comparisons are made between
people of different age cohorts at one
point in time. Cross-sectional studies are useful
for examining age differences in attitudes and
behaviors, but they cannot measure age
changes. Longitudinal research, which follows
the same individuals over time, is better suited
for distinguishing between age, period, and cohort
effects.
Do people attempt to time the major
events in their lives? The timing of life
course transitions is regulated by age norms,
which define age-appropriate roles and behavior.
Research shows that people have clear expectations
about the timing of various life
course events and know when they are "on
time" or "off time." However, recent studies
suggest that the term "age timetable" may be
more appropriate than "age norm," since there
are few negative sanctions attached to being off
time for life course transitions.
Can the sequencing of major life events
create role conflict? The concept of sequencing
presumes that transitions should be made in
a particular order. Some life events are clearly
sequenced, such as parenting and grandparenting,
while others overlap. Overlapping events
can create role conflict. The idea of a midlife
squeeze caused by role conflicts stemming from
role overlap has received much attention. Yet
only a relatively small percentage of middle-aged
adults simultaneously have all children under
18, paid employment, and responsibilities for an
aging parent.
Why do older Americans move over the
life course? Young retirees tend to gravitate to
warmer climes in search of a more carefree
lifestyle. Later in retirement, after an illness or
the death of a spouse, many Americans make a
second move to be closer to their children. Those
who live longest may make a third move, to a
nursing home or assisted living facility.
Can major historical events affect the life
course of a whole generation? Although
there is insufficient longitudinal data to test all
the ideas researchers have about the long-term
consequences of early life experiences, some research
has been able to overcome these limitations.
Studies show that the impact of early
experiences such as living through an economic
depression can influence the life course of an
entire generation. However, the consequences
vary depending on the individual’s age at the
time the event occurred and on what decisions
were made about how to deal with that event.
How can government policy affect the life
course? When government policy gives people
at specific ages particular rights, responsibilities, and public benefits, such as Social Security, it helps to standardize the life course. Currently, there are three clearly demarcated stages in the life course–education, work, and leisure. As society and the economy grow more complex, the challenge now is to explore ways policies can be restructured to allow more flexibility
