A client who has recently retired tells a social worker that his life has always been consumed by his job. He was focused on rising to the top of his industry and increasing his earnings. The client feels that he would now like to “make a difference by giving back” and would like to donate his time and money to helping others. This client is most likely _________.

This client is likely in middle adulthood and is faced with the challenge of understanding himself as part of the larger society. During this time, adults strive to create or nurture things that will outlast them—often by having children or contributing to positive changes that benefit other people. According to Erik Erikson, contributing to society and doing things to benefit future generations are important needs at the generativity versus stagnation stage of development. Generativity refers to “making your mark” on the world through caring for others, creating things, and accomplishing things that make the world a better place. Stagnation refers to the failure to find a way to contribute, leaving individuals feeling disconnected or uninvolved with their community and with society as a whole