In Our Fifties

Focuses on evolving self images and changing relationships with families, friends, lovers, and the world at large.

Preface

The Authors

1 Myths and Realities: The Invisible Decade 1

2 New Identities, New Priorities: Settling Down or Gearing Up? 11

3 Stories and Dreams: Listening to Inner Voices 27

4 Body and Mind: Over the Hill or In Our Prime? 40

5 The Mirror of History: Understanding Commonality and Diversity 55

6 Friends and Lovers: The Quest for Relationship and Autonomy 75

7 Families: New Roles as Parents, Grandparents, and Children 89

8 Work and Career: Changing Needs and Sources of Meaning 115

9 Leadership: Power, Redefinition, and Self-Renewal 136

10 Achievement and Failure: Coming to Terms 148

11 Reinventing Our Lives: The Challenge of Change 165

12 To the Next Generation; Preparing for Your Fifties 173

Appendix: Research Questions 183

Recommended Readings 185

Notes 189

Index 195

"About half way through reading this book, I became aware of the fact that my reaction was, 'Oh, to be fifty again.' The authors present this decade as the one that 'promises to be the richest and most satisfying of your life.' A time of growth toward greater fulfillment. A message that especially warms the heart of an adult educator." --Malcolm S. Knowles, professor emeritus of adult and community college education, North Carolina State University WILLIAM BERQUIST is president of The Professional School of Psychology in San Francisco and Sacramento. He is the author of many books, including Developing Human and Organizational Resources (1993).

ELINOR M GREENBERG is president of a consulting firm near Denver. She is the author of Weaving: The Fabric of a Woman's Life (1991).

G. ALAN KLAUM is president of a San Francisco consulting firm, codirector of The Sutter Institute, and a practicing psychotherapist.

While many books address the issues that arise for people in their thirties and forties, little has been written about the unique challenges, joys, and fears that individuals encounter in their fifties. This book offers those who are in, or about to enter, their fifties a wealth of insights for making the most of these rapidly changing, exciting years.Not simply a time to prepare for 'endings,' the authors show that the fifties are a vibrant period for new beginnings, a time for reevaluation, reinvention, and development. Personal interviews with more than seventy men and women uncover the reality of life at fifty. Offering insights for self-exploration and for personal development, the authors demonstrate that courage and honesty can make these the best years of one's life. While many books address the issues that arise for people in their thirties and forties, little has been written about the unique challenges, joys, and fears that individuals encounter in their fifties. This book offers those who are in, or about to enter, their fifties a wealth of insights for making the most of these rapidly changing, exciting years.

Not simply a time to prepare for 'endings,' the authors show that the fifties are a vibrant period for new beginnings, a time for reevaluation, reinvention, and development. Personal interviews with more than seventy men and women uncover the reality of life at fifty. Offering insights for self-exploration and for personal development, the authors demonstrate that courage and honesty can make these the best years of one's life.