As the elderly individual enters life as a non-working citizen, they must now establish a new sense of purpose. Many of these individuals are able to find a sense of satisfaction in taking on the role of grand-parenting. Still, there are many elderly individuals who are unable to take on such roles and must still struggle to find a sense of meaning in life after work. Erik Erikson's theory of generativity may outline an instinctive desire for those elderly individuals who do not have grand children to guide. Erikson's theory asserts that people in their later years have a natural desire to assist in guiding the next generation (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2010). This instinctive desire may lead the individual to seek self-gratifying actions like volunteering or finding work where they will be able to contribute a sense of guidance to others, particularly to the young. If the individual is able to successfully find a place in society that gives him or her a sense of meaning, the promise of continuing life in a healthy state remains high. Women and The American Dream: The Glass Ceiling The American is further complicated for women across their entire lifespan. Women are far more likely to experience lower income rates, higher rates of chronic illness, and experience more complications in life as they decide how to pursue their own sense of happiness. In modern society, the need to have a two income household is becoming a social norm. Regardless of whether or not a has an education, her income is likely to be less than that of a man's, as demonstrated by countless studies. In her early 20s, a woman must make the decision to further her education or to settle down and start a family, and in many cases, women choose to do both. Social roles demand that women who start a family still maintain themselves as the primary care-giver for her children and significant other, despite her decisions economically.
As the elderly individual enters life as a non-working citizen, they must now establish a new sense of purpose. Many of these individuals are able to find a sense of satisfaction in taking on the role of grand-parenting. Still, there are many elderly individuals who are unable to take on such roles and must still struggle to find a sense of meaning in life after work. Erik Erikson's theory of generativity may outline an instinctive desire for those elderly individuals who do not have grand children to guide. Erikson's theory asserts that people in their later years have a natural desire to assist in guiding the next generation (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2010). This instinctive desire may lead the individual to seek self-gratifying actions like volunteering or finding work where they will be able to contribute a sense of guidance to others, particularly to the young. If the individual is able to successfully find a place in society that gives him or her a sense of meaning, the promise of continuing life in a healthy state remains high. Women and The American Dream: The Glass Ceiling The American is further complicated for women across their entire lifespan. Women are far more likely to experience lower income rates, higher rates of chronic illness, and experience more complications in life as they decide how to pursue their own sense of happiness. In modern society, the need to have a two income household is becoming a social norm. Regardless of whether or not a has an education, her income is likely to be less than that of a man's, as demonstrated by countless studies. In her early 20s, a woman must make the decision to further her education or to settle down and start a family, and in many cases, women choose to do both. Social roles demand that women who start a family still maintain themselves as the primary care-giver for her children and significant other, despite her decisions economically.