Composing a Life: Navigating the Transition in to Adulthood II
Susan Ashford, Placida Gallegos , Kathy Kram, and Ilene Wasserman
This workshop provides a safe and stimulating environment for academy
members to explore the unique challenges that individuals face as they near
the end of careers that have spanned most of their adult lives and
enter “Adulthood II.” We hope to attract faculty and scholar-practitioners
who perceive themselves as entering a major transition (due to changes in
work or personal status) and to foster personal reflection as well as the
development of shared themes that may serve to frame future research in the
study of Late Career and Life Transitions more generally.
In Catherine Bateson's new book, Composing a Further Life, She points out
that many people are living longer, enduring good health, and have the
desire to continue to contribute, though perhaps in new ways and in new
directions. In our workshop, we will explore the unique challenges that
individuals face as they near the end of careers that have spanned most of
their adult lives and enter “Adulthood II.” We will stimulate small group
discussions and dyadic conversations that allow for deep exploration,
development of personal insights, and the creation of a future research
agenda on this topic. These themes include: The Nature of Active Wisdom,
Building a Personal Legacy, Letting Go and Building New Commitments, The
Role of Relationships in Navigating Transitions, Gender Differences in
Adulthood II, and Identity Continuity/ Discontinuity over the Life Course.
Please join us as we reflect together as well as develop shared themes that
may serve to frame future research in the study of Late Career and Life
Transitions more generally.
For more information contact Kathy Kram at
kekram@bu.edu or look up the PDW
signup on the Program website.