Generativity in the Third Third of Life

In this article I’d like to suggest that we pay attention to the word “generativity.” Yes, it’s a peculiar word, one that would be unfamiliar to many. But this word and, more importantly, its meaning and implications, are well worth our attention.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “generativity,” derived from the adjective “generative,” means “The fact or quality of contributing positively to society through activities such as nurturing, teaching, and creating.” The first usage of “generativity,” according to the OED, appeared in 1951 in the book Childhood & Society written by Erik Erikson. Erikson, a Harvard professor of psychology, proposed that people in midlife and beyond feel a strong “concern in establishing and guiding the next generation.” He coined the word “generativity” to describe this intergenerational concern, arguing that it was essential for people to engage with and express their generativity if they wished to live fulfilled lives as they got older. Those who failed to attend to their generativity would experience what Erikson described as “stagnation.”

To put it simply, generativity is “a need to nurture and guide younger people and contribute to the next generation.” Many of us first experience a feeling of generativity when we become parents. Perhaps for the first time in life, we care deeply about what happens to people who are a good bit younger than we are. But generativity, according to Erikson, is not limited to a concern for our own children. Rather, it has to do with a whole generation of people, or perhaps with several generations.

Generativity in the Third Third of Life

In his earlier writings, Erikson saw generativity as crucial for middle-adulthood, ages 40-65. But as he got older, Erikson recognized that a concern for generativity remains strong beyond age 65. Thus, he wrote in The Life Cycle Completed,“[I]ndeed, old people can and need to maintain a grand-generative function.”

If you are in the third third of life, you are likely aware of your own generativity. You’re not concerned only for yourself and your peers. Rather, you want what’s best for the generations coming after you. You feel a deep concern for them and want to make a difference in their future. Generativity is often experienced as a desire to leave a legacy for the future—not just a financial legacy but a legacy of excellence, example, empowerment, and encouragement. We want to leave the world better than we found it for the sake of those who come after us.

Generativity is often experienced as a desire to leave a legacy for the future—not just a financial legacy but a legacy of excellence, example, empowerment, and encouragement.

Generativity in Scripture

Examples of generativity appear in many passages of Scripture, notably in the Psalms. For example, in Psalm 71 the writer is eager to make sure future generations know God and God’s mighty acts:

O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might
to all the generations to come (71:17-18).

Phrases like “to all the generations to come” exemplify what Erikson calls a “grand-generative function.”

Psalm 78 provides a similar example of expansive generativity:

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our ancestors have told us.
We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done (78:1-4).

As you would expect, the psalm writers emphasize passing on their faith, which is based on God’s “glorious deeds.” Today, we may very well share this emphasis on faith, but generativity includes a broader range of issues and experiences. It moves us to pass on, not only our faith, but also our values, vision, wisdom, skills, knowledge, memories, hope, and love.

Paying Attention to Your Generativity

You may already be quite aware of your generativity. You may feel it strongly. You may be acting on it as you invest your life in the next generations. I think, for example, of Mary, who retired after 40 plus years as an elementary school teacher. When she retired, she was eager to have time for rest, travel, and several hobbies. Though she enjoyed these quite a bit, a few months into her retirement Mary began to feel restless and unfulfilled. Her generativity was acting up!

So, Mary went to her local elementary school (not the one where she had taught) and met with the principal. After explaining her background and current longings, Mary said: “Is there any way I could help with your students?”

“Is there? Oh, my goodness!” the principal exclaimed. “We desperately need a mature presence on the playground during recess. We have the official supervisors. But they’re busy making sure everything is in order. It would be fantastic if you could simply get to know the students and be an older friend and encourager to them.”

So that’s what Mary did, volunteering at the school a couple of times each week. She was thrilled to do it. Her volunteering helped to satisfy her generativity. She loved making a difference in the lives of students who were about 50 years younger than she was. And, in time, the students loved having Mary in their lives.

I realize that helping out at the local school may not be your cup of tea and that’s fine. But I hope Mary’s story might encourage you to pay attention to your generativity if you’re not already doing so. As you reflect on your desire to make a difference for future generations, what is stirred up in your heart? What possibilities come to mind? How might you be able to exercise your experience and wisdom in a way that makes the world a little better and gives you joy?

As you reflect on your desire to make a difference for future generations, what is stirred up in your heart?