Making Good Decisions

Although I am working towards something, I don't agree that it would be necessarily and endpoint. This definition also implies that with maturity people tend to make better choices than others who may be younger. I don't agree whole heartily to this viewpoint. It may seem that people who are older tend to make better choices then others who are younger but in real life that may not always be true. For instance my mother whose twenty nine years older has experienced life more so than I have. Which also means under the theory of adult development, has more wisdom than me and would exhibit better decision making than me. Most people would agree to that statement, it is likely that most people believe there parents would know better than them. But in all instances?

I believe that my mother is a wise person but on some topics or issues she's not as knowledgeable as I am. I'm better at certain situations and making decisions than she is. For example a simple task as selecting a home computer. My mother who has higher education, and common sense, is basically computer illiterate. She's afraid to operate them for fear that she will break something. When it was time to purchase a computer she had no question of what to look for. In this particular situation she would not be able to make a better informed selection. Her wisdom and years of life experience would not assist her in making a wise selection because she is not equipped to make a better decision then me, although she is older than me.

Maybe that is not exactly what the theory of life development is saying but to me the theory does not support all parts of adult development. The theory also points out that their is a particular goal or endpoint adults move toward. I can agree with most of this statement. I believe that adults all tend to work toward a specific goal. Whether it be finishing school, getting married, or obtaining the perfect career. All people look toward a goal. I don't agree with working toward am endpoint. Adult progression has no endpoint. There is always something you look forward to, I don't believe I will ever stop looking towards something new, or trying something that different. When you stop dreaming it kills you as a person. Your progression should never end, it simply takes on a new form. A different form may be retiring from a position and dedicating your life to help raising your grand children or becoming more involve in your local church. Even when you pass away the theory of that being a endpoint can be challenged. It can be looked at as not a ending to a life, but a transition to a different type of life. My point, adult development never ends. You always can learn and development no matter what age you are or how wise you may be.

The theory of adult change is something I can fully agree with. The Bee text states, "A throaty of adult change, assumes no such endpoint or goal nor any improvement or growth" (Bee) It basically means that there are stages that adults go through. Not saying that as you enter these stages and get older you are a better than the previous stage before. Many theorist believe in this theory of adult change.

Daniel Levinson, a theorist who conducted a survey of 40 men, in hopes of finding out about himself and his adult progression, concluded that adult development is based upon relationships. These relationships are relationships between co-workers, friends, spouse, children, anyone you have a relationship with. These relationships make up your life structure, and according to Levinson, "Adult life, at least for men is made up of alternating periods of stable life structures and transition periods during which the old life structure is reexamined, adjusted , or altered" (Bee). Which I can agree to, the people in my life, and the relationship I encounter make up my life structure. For example, having a child and being a single mom has altered my life structure. If I didn't have a child, I don't believe my life development would have progressed to where it is now. Decisions I have made regarding my life I had to take in account of my son and how it would affect him. Since high school I wanted to leave my hometown, Its not that I don't like being here. I just always wanted to leave somewhere else and explore different places and meet new people. With the attitude I had before I had my son I would have packed my things and moved at the drop of a dime. Now that I have responsibilities to my son and providing him with the most balanced and stable life I can give him, it is no longer an option for me to pick up and move. I have to take in account the relationships I have in my life and how I want my life structured before I can make a life changing decisions. "These relationships are the stuff of which our lives are made. They give shape and substance to the life course" (Bee).

Levinson also made a chart that basically tracks adult progression in eras. He divides each era by ages. The first era which is labeled Early adult transition, ages 17-22. In this era, Levinson states that people normally terminate preadulthood, take steps into the adult world, and explores possibilities in making commitments. I agree with his assessment of this time. My personal experience during this age in my life, I believe I was doing what Levinson believes most people are doing as this time of their life. During this period of my life, I had graduated form high school, attending college, and feeling a great deal of freedom. I was thinking about my life, and planning for the future. By attending colleges, I was preparing myself to have a future in a specific area. I was in turn taking steps towards the adult world as Levinson states. I also gained more financial responsibly by taking on a part-time job and handling my own finances. I stopped going to Mom for gas money and depended on myself, also taking on bills that normally my mother would pay for, I assumed responsibility for them. I was gearing myself towards adulthood.

Levinson interpretation of the era 22-25, which he labels as Entering the adult world. In this era according to Levinson, people create a first major life structure, and attempt to pursue a dream. During this time in my life, I decided to move out on my own, which was my first major life structure. My life had defiantly changed from living with my mother. I had greater responsibilities, I had to take on full responsibly of the decisions I made. If something was not paid on time, it was all my problem not my parents, my life structure had changed completely. I also became involved in a relationship that I planned would result in marriage. I was pursuing the dream of having a family of my own. This is also something Levinson mentions during this period of life, people pursuing a dream. Within each era, Levinson