1. While traditionally career decision making may have only included the need for occupational or self-information, today's career counselor must understand that additional factors need to be addressed. For example, self-esteem levels and feelings of anxiety, external locus of control, and other personality characteristics may affect career decision making. White middle class college students, though likely to be associated with higher levels of self-esteem and an internal locus of control, will still need to learn about their interests and abilities, their work values, and the different career alternatives. Thus a speech addressed to this group would include this information along with suggestions for appropriate tests and courses designed to facilitate the gathering of this information.
When addressing a group of middle class African-American students, cultural and class factors for this group would need to be considered as well. For example, while still middle class and likely to be associated with higher levels of self-esteem, other factors may differ for this group. The African-American may have different work values than the White student and they may have a different locus of control based on their cultural experience, or not. A speech for this group would need to consider these possibilities. Minority and low socioeconomic status may be factors associated with external locus of control and lower levels of self-esteem, factors which must be considered in career decision-making.
2. The stage of middle adulthood has the conflict of generativity versus stagnation, according to Erikson. Parenting is the common important event for this group. The middle adult must find a way to contribute to the next generation. Within this context, the management of the household is an important consideration in adult psychological development despite the fact that it includes mundane tasks and skills.
While some consider that...