Seasons Of A Mans 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, builds a nest, and pursues more long-

range plans and goals. His problem may be evaluating earlier career choices

and goals.

Immediately following the age-thirty transition is the settling down

stage (ages 33-40). The problem here is to develop a sense of success in the

major areas of one's life, primarily one's career and relationships.

...

... middle of paper ...

...th previous decisions, such as by becoming more

committed to one's family or career.

I feel that the book was written very well. It went in-depth in

mapping out the stages and the events in each one of the stages. I could

relate to some but most I could not since Levinson limited his research to

only males. I am a female and only 22 so I have just barely entered into the

early adult era. Looking at older males around me I can see some of what

Levinson has stated to be true, however, I just don't believe that every male

is going to go through the life stages just as he says. I think that for the time

when this book was written, Levinson probably did a great job in describing

the stages. Most of the men that he interviewed were born before and during

the Depression. What was true for the men that were interviewed may not

be true for today's 40-year-olds.

By reading this book I can atbest say that I have a more complete

understanding of male adult development.

Reference

Levinson, D. J. (1977). The Seasons of a Man's Life. Ballantine Books.