In pursuit of generativity
Generativity is such a funny word. I don’t think I have ever used it before psychology graduate school. Just try saying it out loud. GEN – ER – A – TIV – ITY. It is awkward, right?
Generativity is my current “life stage” of development, so I think I better become friends with the term. Generativity is, by definition, the desire to help guide the next generation. According to the psychoanalyst Erik Erikson, generativity counterbalances the opposing tendency of stagnation (or feeling a lack of meaning in one’s life). In Erikson’s psychosocial development terms, the period from around 40-65 years old is called the “Generativity vs. Stagnation” stage.
Midlife is not that scary. I am well aware that our culture tries to make it out to be terrible, but don’t believe everything you hear. In our middle years, we may have some cognitive decline, new (and sometimes scary) health issues, physical signs of aging (hello, wrinkles!), and different body compositions, but it can also be a beautiful time to reflect on family traditions, life choices, and societal contributions.1
Life really does begin at 40. Up until then you are just doing research.
According to Erikson, we must bring generativity and stagnation into balance in order to have a healthy engagement with the self and the world. For instance, I am not there yet, but I will soon be experiencing what they call “empty nest syndrome.” It’s when the kids fly the coup, and parents have more free time, in which they may feel lonely and depressed. This is what Erikson would call a “crisis” – which is not a disaster, but rather an opportunity to view the world differently. At the crisis point, one must integrate the opposing forces of generativity and self-absorption.
Some researchers believe that generativity, as Erikson saw it, is conceptually much more extensive than just passing information onto the next generation. Generativity can also be a path to self-actualization in our quest to make meaning of our overall life design.2
After five decades of research on Erikson’s theory, researchers have pretty clearly shown that moving toward generativity in midlife is 100% linked to our overall health and well-being.3 When we face a life challenge in midlife, which we all will (and probably many more than one), we can try to re-frame the crisis as a turning point. You can look at a situation and make meaning from it rather than fall into Erikson’s "rejectivity" (or inertia and narcissism). It can be a time to write that book you have always wanted to, volunteer at that non-profit you did not have time to before, or play with your grandchildren.
Since psychological well-being in mid-life and generative concern for others seem to go hand in hand, let’s review some generative activities.4 Generative behavior includes creating arts and crafts, writing a book, teaching someone a skill, and taking group leadership roles. Research suggests that people who score highly on scales of generativity may be more involved in religious, community, and political activities and may report higher levels of happiness.5
More generative activities include:
Developing relationships with children
Making commitments to others
Mentoring others
Reading a story to a child
Teaching someone a skill
Donating blood
Attending a community meeting
Donating money to charity
By sharing your wisdom with others, you are engaging in generative activities. By aligning yourself with Erikson’s theory of generativity, you can resolve stagnation and move toward generativity for a greater sense of purpose in your forties and fifties. I do not think Erikson’s theory is the only way to understand this stage of life, but it is a relevant and useful one that I have found value in reflecting on in my own life and sharing with you here.
❤️ Ways to support my work:
Share my newsletter with friends, family, and colleagues! Click the share button below!
Follow and like my Instagram @my.field.notes