Blog 3

Blog # 3 – 2/19/2013

As one of the older members of the class, I found myself reflecting a good deal as I was reading chapter 3 in the Corey book.  I really related to the theory of McGoldrick and Carter (2005) of self-in-context development of genuine maturity, with the idea of developing a mature, inter-dependent self within the context of relationships with others.  Certainly, numerous people have had major impact upon my own life as I grew and matured, but there continue to be those who still influence me, as well as coming across new people (when I am very lucky) who also have an impact.  As I look back, I honestly hope that I told most of those people how important they were/are to me.  Although I am certain that I did for some, I am afraid that there are those I missed.  I hope they realize how much they have meant to me. 

I also identified with the idea of a life-script and the nature of injunctions within our lives.  I definitely hear some of those messages in my own head as I make decisions, take risks, and embark on new pathways.  I believe this portion of the chapter will be of special consideration to me as I hopefully one day have the opportunity to influence young people as a school counselor.  I firmly believe that we all have an inner voice that can be positive, negative, or a combination of both.  I would endeavor to help students identify what they are saying to themselves and give suggestions as to how they can answer and begin to think in more productive ways.  I also could definitely agree with much of the Arnett article.  My own time in my late teens/early twenties was still somewhat unsettled but exciting.  Finishing college, finding a job, getting started with a life (my own and with a partner) were all things that I wanted and expected to accomplish.  I would certainly share with my students that the end of high school means a transition, but no definite decisions have to be made and that they have so much to look forward to!

As far as the stages of adulthood delineated within the chapter, I was able to identify with most of the information.  I can especially relate to the idea that people in middle adulthood strive for understanding of themselves and others, reexamine life choices, and may become more productive.  It is no accident that I made the decision to return to college to earn my master’s degree and hopefully beyond.  It was not a decision reached lightly, and I certainly took my family into consideration, but this is definitely something for ME.  I also really enjoyed reading the portions concerning late middle age and late adulthood.  Although, due to the untimely deaths of both my own mother and mother-in-law, I have already dealt with some of the issues identified in that section, the information made me think about what I want the remainder of my life to look like and how much control over it is actually in my own hands.  I am well aware of the stereotypes about aging we tend to hold in this culture, but I also had three grandparents who lived into their nineties, and were basically healthy.  I am trying to engage in activities now, exercising, eating healthy (basically J), etc, which will allow me to continue my life with as much health as possible for as long as possible. 

Arnett, J.J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469-480.

Corey, G. , & Corey, M.S. (2008). I never knew I had a choice: Explorations in personal growth      (9^th ed.). Belmont, California: Thompson Brooks/Cole. ISBN: 9780495602293.