CAREERS IN MIDLIFE AND BEYOND - A FALLOW FIELD IN NEED OF SUSTENANCE

Workers at midlife and beyond have been neglected by researchers studying vocational behavior. This article attempts to address that shortcoming by examining why it is important to devote more attention to this growing segment of the population, presenting some of the data that are available, and posing several questions for further study. We begin by assessing the effects of physiology, psychology, and social surroundings on the aging process. We then examine the way the increased turbulence in the workplace is affecting careers in an aging workforce. The effects of technological change, restructuring, and changing work relations on older workers' careers are also presented, followed by a discussion of factors related to the decision to retire. Finally, we address the current state of career theory as it relates to issues faced by workers at midcareer and beyond, and we present potential questions for future research in this area. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.