[Effect of sex and sex role in later life. Report of a seminar by Prof. Margaret Hellie Huyck, April 1978].

Abstract

During a seminar at the University of Nijmegen in Holland, Prof. Margaret Hellie Huyck examined the influence of sex and gender on development in the second half of life. She began by presenting a framework for analyzing problems during the phase of the life cycle. She then proceeded to examine the consequences of one's sex and sex role for love, friendship and intimacy, as well as for sexuality later in life. She also presented research evidence on the quality of marriage during the second half of the life cycle. Her discussion on personality changes in men and women at mid-life was more extensive and included consequences of these changes for mental health. Since research on these areas is scarce, many questions for research became evident in the course of the seminar. Prof. Huyck ended the seminar by comparing different visions on the development of men and women over the life cycle, including the model which she sees as ideal.