Generativity

Generativity vs. Stagnation

When people reach their 40s, they enter the time
known as middle adulthood, which extends to the mid-60s.
The social task of middle adulthood is generativity vs.
stagnation. Generativity involves finding your life’s work
and contributing to the development of others through activities
such as volunteering, mentoring, and raising children. During this
stage, middle-aged adults begin contributing to the next generation,
often through childbirth and caring for others; they also engage in
meaningful and productive work which contributes positively to society.
Those who do not master this task may experience stagnation and feel as
though they are not leaving a mark on the world in a meaningful way; they
may have little connection with others and little interest in productivity
and self-improvement.