Generativity
A psychology term for caring about the next generation and acting on it: raising, teaching, mentoring, building things that outlast you. Erik Erikson named it the main task of midlife.
Generativity is concern for the people who come after you, and doing something for them: raising children, teaching, mentoring, making or building things that will outlast you. Evidence: solid The psychologist Erik Erikson named it in 1950 as the central task of midlife, set against stagnation. Evidence: solid Researchers still describe it as concern and action for the good of others, and an important goal from midlife on. Evidence: decent In 1992 researchers built the questionnaire most studies still use, and people who score higher on it also report doing more of it, like teaching someone a skill. Evidence: decent
Where it gets misread: it isn't only about having kids. Erikson counted work and making things too, and researchers count mentoring, teaching, volunteering and community work. Evidence: decent
It can be moved. In a Baltimore trial, 702 adults aged sixty and over were randomly placed either as helpers in primary schools or in the usual volunteering. The school group felt more generative at every check over two years, more so the more they took part. The effect was small, and most were women. Evidence: decent In a large US study, people who later felt they'd given less than they expected were less satisfied with life. Evidence: decent That's a link: feeling low can also make you feel you've fallen short. Evidence: decent
Why it matters
When a role ends, the wish to pass things on often stays and the outlet goes. Evidence: worth trying Mentor one named person and name what you're handing down give it an outlet. Neither exact version has been tested. Evidence: worth trying