Study GuideDevelopmental Psychology–PsychosocialDevelopment: Age 65+1. Relationships: Age 65+Because people are living longer than ever before, relationships in older adulthood can last muchlonger than in past generations. In fact, nearly1 in 10 adults over age 65has a child who is alsoconsidered an older adult. These long-lasting family connections can be deeply rewarding, but theycan also bring new challenges.Older adults often enjoy calmer, more peaceful family relationships than they did earlier in life. At thesame time, younger family members may feel stressed as they help care for aging parents orgrandparents. Even with these challenges, most younger adults report havingpositive andsatisfying relationshipswith their older relatives.1.1Marriage and Family LifeMarriages in later life are sometimes calledretirement marriages. These relationships often sharesimilar patterns:•The average wife is about68, and the average husband is71•Couples have typically been married forover 40 years•Marital satisfaction is usuallyhigh•Most couples havethree adult children, with the oldest around age 40•About20% of husbandsand4% of wivesstill work, even though they consider themselvesretired•Household income is usuallylowerthan in earlier adulthood1. 2 WidowhoodOne of the most painful experiences in late adulthood iswidowhood, or losing a spouse to death.•About3% of menand12% of womenin the U.S. are widowed•Among adults75 and older, about25% of menand66% of womenare widowedPreview Mode
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