Creating intergenerational distance: Language, communication and middle-age

The years of 'middle-age' have received very little attention in the social sciences. We review the two primary strains of research in the area-one concerned with demonstrating the existence of a mid-life crisis, and the other aiming to demonstrate stability in mid-life. Results from a survey are presented which provide initial indications of the importance of linguistic and communicative processes to an understanding of mid-life. In closing, Communication Accommodation Theory is invoked in the development of a model of one particular process within the area of communication and middle-age-the socialization of the middle-aged into elderly roles. This process is described as 'intergenerational distancing'. The importance of language and communication processes in the development of certain crisis situations is outlined.