“Generativity,” a concept coined by Erik Erikson, encapsulates the concern with guiding the next generation. This vital concept, central to understanding human development and societal progress, goes beyond simply procreation. It represents a dedication to nurturing, mentoring, and shaping the future through various avenues.
Dan McAdams, a prominent psychologist specializing in identity, social motives, and life narratives, has significantly contributed to our understanding of generativity. He, along with Ed de St. Aubin, developed a scale to measure generativity and explored who actively participates in nurturing the upcoming generation. Their research challenges traditional views and highlights the multifaceted nature of this crucial human trait.
Redefining Generativity: Beyond Middle Adulthood
While Erikson associated generativity primarily with middle adulthood, McAdams argues that the concern with guiding the next generation can manifest throughout adult life. His research encompassed adults aged 19 to 68, demonstrating that this concern isn’t limited by age. This broadened perspective acknowledges that individuals at various life stages can contribute to the development of future generations.
McAdams’ study, although not based on a nationally representative sample, drew participants from diverse backgrounds, including supermarkets, urban hospitals, and community service agencies. This variety provides valuable insights into how generativity expresses itself across different social contexts.
Challenging Stereotypes: Generativity Beyond Parenthood
Traditional stereotypes often link concern for the next generation to parenthood. However, both Erikson and McAdams recognized that generativity extends far beyond having children. Not all parents are actively involved in guiding their offspring, and numerous avenues exist for leaving a positive mark on the world, regardless of parental status.
McAdams and de St. Aubin emphasized that generativity can be expressed “in a wide variety of life pursuits and in a vast array of life settings, as in work life and professional activities, volunteer endeavors, participation in religious and political organizations, neighborhood and community activism, friendships, and even one’s leisure-time activities.” This inclusive definition acknowledges the diverse ways individuals contribute to the concern with guiding the next generation.
Measuring Generativity: The Loyola Generativity Scale
The Loyola Generativity Scale, a 20-item questionnaire, provides a framework for measuring an individual’s concern for the next generation. Sample items include:
- I try to pass along the knowledge that I have gained through my experiences.
- If I were unable to have children of my own, I would like to adopt children.
- I have made many commitments to many different kinds of people, groups, and activities in my life.
- I have a responsibility to improve the neighborhood in which I live.
The inclusion of items related to children raises the question of whether the scale favors parents. While the study found that fathers scored higher on generativity than non-fathers, interestingly, motherhood had little impact on women’s scores. This suggests that women may express their concern for the next generation through channels beyond traditional parenting roles.
Marital Status and Generativity: Challenging Assumptions
The study also examined the relationship between marital status and generativity. By comparing married individuals to those who had always been single, the researchers sought to determine whether marriage correlated with a greater concern for the next generation.
The findings revealed that marital status had no significant impact on an individual’s concern for the next generation. Married men and single men, married women and single women, demonstrated an equal likelihood of contributing their guidance to the younger generation. This underscores the idea that the concern with guiding the next generation is a personal commitment that transcends societal expectations and familial structures.
Conclusion: Generativity as a Universal Responsibility
In conclusion, the concern with guiding the next generation is a fundamental aspect of human development and societal well-being. It is not limited by age, parental status, or marital status, but rather represents a universal responsibility that can be fulfilled through various avenues. By embracing this concept, we can collectively contribute to a brighter future for generations to come.
Reference:
McAdams, Dan P., & de St. Aubin, Ed. (1992). A theory of generativity and its assessment through self-report, behavioral acts, and narrative themes in autobiography. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 62, 1003-1015.
