Career development of men at mid-life

Abstract It is proposed that the career development theory of Super (The psychology of careers. New York: Harper & Row, 1957 .) should be revised to include an additional developmental stage which occurs at midlife. To justify this proposal, a definition of a developmental stage is offered and findings from recent studies of male middlescence are examined for indications of the presence of such a stage. The implications for career development theory and counseling practice arising from the acceptance of this stage are discussed. Finally, suggestions are made as to how practitioners may assist those entering their middle years to negotiate the mid-life stage and to avoid the crisis it may contain.