this age period). The time frames show some overlap, especially if
Levinson’s stable periods are ignored, but whereas Levinson views thetimetable as inherent in human nature, Gould believes it is a function oflife events and social forces (marriage, birth of children, corporateschedules of advancement, etc.). Gould also acknowledges the pro -
found differences of social class. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of
Gould’s book was his effort to report on women as well as men and hisparticular attention to couples.
But the more fundamental differences are to be found in the theo -
retical underpinnings of T ransformations . Gould sees the basis for adult
development in the unfinished business of childhood. As children weare fundamentally helpless in the face of both outer danger and innerpassions of lust, rage, and greed. We depend wholly on our parents tocontrol both of these threats, and we internalize a series of false as -
sumptions, illusions that allow us to believe that we are perfectly safe.
Maintaining these beliefs has the benefit of preserving our sense of se-curity , but it also has a cost: We are confined by the rules that bound usas children. We cannot get free of these confining inhibitions withoutfacing the illusory nature of some of our most fundamental beliefs andwithout giving up the security they provide. But when we do get free,we come to see reality more clearly and thus stop the rude and unex-pected shocks that must repeatedly occur when our illusions collidewith life. And, says Gould, we also gain from this process real freedomto be our own persons, in touch with our inner needs and passions, liv-ing vital and meaningful lives.
Now , these ideas are by no means unprecedented. Most versions of
depth psychology claim that neurotic hang-ups stem from defenses weadopted in childhood to deal with a reality that no longer exists. Evencognitively based theories of psychotherapy , like Ellis’s (1962) Rational-Emotive Therapy , recognize the entrapping and self-perpetuating role ofirrational beliefs. Gould’s unique contribution is to insist that there is anage-ordering of these irrational beliefs. Teenagers entering adulthood
confront the assumption that they will always belong to their parentsand believe in their world. Achieving independence from one’s parentsand their values, taking charge of one’s life and one’s body , means givingup the comforting assurance that parents will always be there to helpand guide.
The young adult who is building a family and beginning a career
has joined the establishment—and, says Gould, has done so with a ven -176 PERSONALITY IN ADULTHOOD