Claims that before adult learners set goals and begin their transition to higher education, they need to carve out a sense of personal identity which includes their new role as students. Reviews developmental theories and urges college personnel to use these theories to foster support programs for adult students. (RJM)

A conceptual framework for adult development is proposed, based on a synthesis of the literature on role theory and various age-related adult developmental theories. It is proposed that adult development may not be as linear, uniform, and age-related as has been suggested. An individual adult could be in varying developmental stages across the…

Sex role development is discussed, beginning with processes through which children adopt sexual identity and related behaviors. The growth of androgyny (measured by the Bem Sex Role Inventory) in adult males and females is documented, and changes in the sex role behavior of men and women over 50 are described. (PP)

The implications of a developing theory about human posibilities for the conduct of individual life and the future of society rest on the basic fact that, because only a fraction of the possibilities the future holds can be actualized by an individual or by society, choice is a universal imperative. One important reason that better choices are not…

Describes continuity theory, as emphasizing the interaction between individual characteristics and the social structure. Presents three propositions concerning social role restrictivness and maintenance in older adults. Considers psychological, sociological, physiological, and educational influences on elder's social behavior. (JAC)

Counselors have an important role in providing help with the transition from preretirement planning to postretirement adjustment. They must examine their own bias and suggest alternatives to the worker role such as part time employment, hobbies and activism. (JAC)

Contains eight articles related to counseling women and change, including: (1) the impact of traditional values on counseling women, (2) problems of midlife women, (3) women's victimization, and (4) counseling women to be whole persons. Also focuses on women as housewives, working women, and religious women. (RC)

Midlife transition is a potentially problematic time for all women, but especially for those who are unmarried, relatively less well-educated, and who do not reside in urban areas. Some studies suggest that unmarried women have more difficulty in identity formation and acceptance of their role by society. Married women whose children are nearly…