Seasons of a Man's Life
Daniel J. Levinson wrote The Seasons of A Man's Life. Mr. Levinson conducted his research for the book in the late 1960's. At that time he was a Professor of Psychology in the Department of
Psychiatry of the Yale University School of Medicine, Director of
Psychology in the Connecticut Mental Health Center and Director of the
Research Unit for Social Psychology and Psychiatry.
Early in the book, Mr. Levinson states his reasons for engaging in the
research of male adult development and for ultimately writing the
book. "The choice of topic reflected a personal concern: at 46, I wanted to
study the transition into middle age in order to understand what I had been
going through myself. Over the previous ten years of my life had changed in
crucial ways; I had developed in a sense I could not articulate. The study
would cast light on my own experience and, I hoped, contribute to an
understanding of adult development in general."
The book is completely about Levinson's theory of male adult
development. Levinson acquired his research by interviewing 40 men
between the ages of 35 and 45 from four different occupational groups.
Through his interviews, Levinson believed that all males pass through a
series of stages, each of which presents a different problem to be solved.
The first stage is known as the early adult transition (ages 17-22). The
problem is to develop a sense of independence by separating from one's
family and trying out different lifestyles. This is the stage where hopes and
dreams are formulated.
The next stage is entering the adult world (ages 22-28). The problem
at this stage is to explore and obtain the many adult roles that are needed to
be happy and successful in one's career and relationships. A set of priorities
begin to form.
The age-thirty transition (ages 28-33) happens next. In this stage the
man establishes his role in society,
Psychiatry of the Yale University School of Medicine, Director of
Psychology in the Connecticut Mental Health Center and Director of the
Research Unit for Social Psychology and Psychiatry.
Early in the book, Mr. Levinson states his reasons for engaging in the
research of male adult development and for ultimately writing the
book. "The choice of topic reflected a personal concern: at 46, I wanted to
study the transition into middle age in order to understand what I had been
going through myself. Over the previous ten years of my life had changed in
crucial ways; I had developed in a sense I could not articulate. The study
would cast light on my own experience and, I hoped, contribute to an
understanding of adult development in general."
The book is completely about Levinson's theory of male adult
development. Levinson acquired his research by interviewing 40 men
between the ages of 35 and 45 from four different occupational groups.
Through his interviews, Levinson believed that all males pass through a
series of stages, each of which presents a different problem to be solved.
The first stage is known as the early adult transition (ages 17-22). The
problem is to develop a sense of independence by separating from one's
family and trying out different lifestyles. This is the stage where hopes and
dreams are formulated.
The next stage is entering the adult world (ages 22-28). The problem
at this stage is to explore and obtain the many adult roles that are needed to
be happy and successful in one's career and relationships. A set of priorities
begin to form.
The age-thirty transition (ages 28-33) happens next. In this stage the
man establishes his role in society,