aging as development
human life is a process. a number of psychologists have attempted to identify the particular tasks that must be accomplished at each stage of development. successful completion of tasks at one stage means that the individual normally proceeds to the next stage and a few set of tasks. it is not always recognized, however, that there are new tasks for the aged1 as well as for those who are younger. aging, in other words, is a new stage in the developmental process of life .
what are the developmental tasks faced by the aged? some tasks are similar to those of other age groups, and some are peculiar to the elderly. in the nineteenth century, for instance, most men had no transition to retirement. typically, a man worked until disability or death. few people had to deal with the“ empty nest2 ”problem, since children either did not leave the family house or returned there to live with their elderly parents.
today, when an increasing number of people are living into their seventies and eighties, there are at least five developmental tasks facing the elderly. first, the aged must come to terms with3 the physical limitations inherent in4 their stage of life. they will no longer be able to engage in certain activities as often or as successfully as they once could. second, having come to terms with the limitations, the older person must redefine the scope of his or her activities. third, the older person must find new sources for satisfying his or her needs. this may be particularly acute at the time of retirement for those who hold to the work ethic .
a fourth task is to reassess the criteria for self-evaluation. again, the loss of work is involved, for many americans consider themselves worthwhile because they have a fulltime job. the question the elderly person must face is“am i a worthwhile person because of the kind of individual i am, because of the various qualities i possess, or am i worthwhile only as long as i can function in some kind of job?”a man who lost his job in advertising when he was sixty-one told the author that he could not find another job in his field. he has done some freelance work, but he still mourns the loss of his job.“ i loved what i did, ”he said,“ and i resented being thrown out on the scrap heap5. there are times when i think i’m just not worth anything anymore . ”
finally, the aged face the task of finding ways to give meaning and purpose to their 021 lives. this task arises throughout the individual’s life . many elderly people find challenges, struggles, and gratifications just as they did in their earlier years.
閱讀自測
complete th e se nte nces with the p rop er fo rms o f the words given in p a renthe ses :
1. we are _____( gratification) to learn that you have won the scholarship.
2. your work in office has not been very _____( product) .
3. money will be paid half in advance and half on_____ ( complete ) .
4. all railroads have weight and height _____( limit) because of tunnels, bridges and so forth.
參考答案
1. gratified 2. productive 3. completion 4. limitations
參考譯文
衰老是個發展過程人生是個過程。一些心理學者試圖找出人生每一階段必須完成的特定任務。圓滿地 完成一個階段的任務意味著這個人已順利進入下一個階段, 又要面對一些新的任務。然 而, 人們并不一定能意識到不僅年輕人有新任務, 而且老年人也有新的事情要做。換句話 說, 衰老是人生過程中一個新的階段。
那么老年人面對的發展任務是什么呢? 有些任務與其他年齡組的相似, 還有一些則是 老年人特有的。比如說, 19 世紀, 大多數人不會退休。那個時候的人常常會工作到做不動 甚至做到死。很少會有人面對“ 守空巢”的問題, 因為他們的孩子或者不離開父母家, 或者 離家后又回來跟年邁的父母同住。
今天, 步入耄耋之年的老人越來越多, 他們至少要面對五項生活任務。首先, 老年人必 須承認這個人生階段所帶來的身體上的限制。他們已不能像年輕時候那樣頻繁地參加某 些活動, 也不會如過去那般成功。第二, 承認身體上的局限之后, 老年人就必須重新界定自 己的活動范圍。第三, 老年人必須要找到能滿足自己需要的新的資源。對于那些恪守工作 道德的老年人來說, 這一點在他們退休的時候也許尤為重要。
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