Levinson’s Stages of Adult Male Development
Sociology
Adult Male Development
Psychologist Daniel Levinson and his colleagues at Yale University undertook an intensive long-term study to determine the adult male development stages.
The research team, including psychologists, sociologists, and psychiatrists, conducted in-depth interviews with 40 men between the ages of 35 and 45, across four broad occupational categories.
A life structure is the combination of status, roles, activities, goals, values, beliefs, and life circumstances that characterize an individual. Levinson and his colleagues concluded that there are three basic eras of adulthood:
- Early adulthood
- Middle adulthood
- Late adulthood
Early Adult Transition
Early adulthood begins with the early adult transition period, ages 17 through 22. This period represents the bridge between adolescence and adulthood. According to Levinson, the most important task of this period is leaving home, both physically and psychologically. Young adults may go away to college or take full-time employment.
Entering the Adult World
The next stage in early adulthood is called entering the adult world, ages 23–27. This period involves two slightly contradictory objectives. On one hand, the individual is expected to explore a variety of relationships and career opportunities.
On the other hand, the young adult is expected to become a responsible member of society and to form a stable life structure. This period is also characterized by the development of a dream of adult accomplishments, often phrased in terms of occupational goals.
The Age 30 Transition
For many people, the age 30 transition, ages 28 through 32, is a difficult period. It is a time to look back on the choices that have been made up to this point. Divorces are common during this period as individuals re-evaluate their current commitments. Levinson considered the age 30 transition to be critical to future developments because it is often characterized by shifts in direction.
The novice phase is what Levinson refers to the first three periods of the early adulthood era. Their major task during this phase is to make a place for themselves in the adult world and to construct a life structure that fits them and works in the adult world.
The Settling Down Period
The last stage of early adulthood is the settling down period, ages 33 through 39. The major tasks of this period are what Levinson called making it in the adult world. Individuals try to establish themselves in society, usually by advancing in their chosen occupations. During this period, individuals form true commitments to things such as work, family, leisure, friendship, community, or whatever is most important in their lives. They also work to fulfill the dreams they established in the previous period.
The first step in the process often involves separating oneself from a mentor. A mentor is someone who fosters an individual’s development by believing in the person, sharing the person’s dreams, and helping the person achieve those dreams.