Understanding the Life Course - Sociological and Psychological Perspectives, 2e

Understanding the Life Course provides a uniquely comprehensive guide to understanding the entire life course from an interdisciplinary perspective. Combining the important insights sociology and psychology have to bring to the study of the life course, the book presents the concept's theoretical underpinnings in an accessible style, supported by real-life examples. From birth and becoming a parent, to death and grieving for the loss of others, Lorraine Green explores all stages of the life course through key research studies and theories, in conjunction with issues of social inequality (such as social class, race/ethnicity and gender) and critical examination of lay viewpoints. She highlights the many different ways the life course can be interpreted, including themes of linearity and multidirectionality, continuity and discontinuity, and the interplay between nature and nurture, or genetics and culture. The second edition includes new and expanded material on core topics such as online and other new technologies and their impact on the life course, changing markers of transitions to adulthood, active ageing, resilience and neuropsychology, and key data is updated throughout. The book's comprehensive coverage of the life course counters the limitations of working with a certain group or age category in isolation, and its interdisciplinary focus recognises the centrality of working in and across multiprofessional teams and organizations. It will continue to be essential reading for students on vocational programmes such as social work and nursing, and will provide thought-provoking insight into the wider contexts of the life course for students of psychology and sociology.