Generatywność gejów, którzy ukończyli 40. rok życia – amerykańska inspiracja dla polskich badań
Generativity of gays after turning fourty – American inspiration for Polish research

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this article is to present American research on generativity among gays as an inspiration for the author’s own research (analysis of gays’ narrations). The starting point is a presentation of generativity theory stated by American psychologist D. McAdams which is a creative development of E. Erikson’s ideas. Generativity manifests throughout the whole life of a human being, but its role increases significantly after turning fourty. This period is sometimes called a period of “breakthrough” or “crisis”. Generally, generativity is linked to the willingness to support succeeding generations, and most often – to parenthood. According to American scientists, among others Hostetler and Boxer, generativity cannot be limited merely to parenthood. They claim that proofs of this theory can be found in research conducted among gays. Among factors which might affect expression of generativity they enumerate coming-out and experiencing discrimination connected to sexual orientation. For the author of this article, conclusions of the American research became the inspiration to ask a few questions about signs of Polish gays’ generativity and chances to research it.

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