The purpose of this paper is to review and synthesize the literature on adult development and to suggest how this information can be applied to the practice of adult education. The first section discusses the nature of adult development, its definition, and key concepts. Sequential patterns of change in adulthood are examined in section 2,…

Because new programs are being developed throughout the country to address the needs of midlife and older women, the Center for Women Policy Studies in Washington, DC, conducted a survey of selected programs and prepared a report based on the results. The Center's purpose was to establish a network through which professionals involved in issues…

This paper describes a pilot program developed to discover the concerns of the middle-aged and to begin education, training, and group sharing about this phase of the family life cycle. A brief literature review examining particular concerns of middle-aged adults is presented, and the question of whether middle age is a time of crisis or…

An interesting area of adult development is "gender shift": the transition from the traditional life patterns or ways of making meaning that are associated with stereotypically male or female roles. One may experience the wish to fulfill those parts of one's personality often associated with feminine or masculine constructs not yet explored.…

A project was conducted to provide descriptive data regarding mid-career women in administration and to develop program materials based on these data. Specific project objectives were (1) to provide descriptive data identifying areas of concern for mid-career women in adminstration; (2) to review selected literature in the fields of the psychology…