ABSTRACT
We begin our discussion of close relationships in the lives of Baby Boomers at midlife by taking a life-span developmental perspective. We suggest the importance of looking at developmental antecedents that could affect relationships at this stage of life, as well as describing current relationships. Key influences begin as early as infancy when attachment bonding sets the stage for close relationships both then and later on (Main, Kaplan, & Cassidy, 1985; Möller & Stattin, 2001). For antecedents of midlife relationships we focus in particular on adolescence and young adulthood when key developmental challenges associated with close relationships emerge. This is based on Erikson’s (1950) theory of psychosocial development.
