Rodzice w roli teściów w świetle teorii zadań rozwojowych Roberta Havighursta
Parents as Parents-in-Law in the Light of the Developmental Task Theory of Robert Havighurst

Summary/Abstract: In the article the author analyses relations between parents and adult children in the light of the developmental task theory of Robert Havighurst. Parents of a child who founded his or her own family have a developmental task – to establish a good relation with the child and his or her spouse. Success in this field assures satisfaction, whereas lack of the success brings the contrary – frustration or even depression. The sources of this task are as follows: physical changes, cultural expectations (pressure), and values, individual aspirations. It is emphasized that today wedding is the only ceremony changing the status of young people. The author specifies the difficulties experienced by the parents to fulfil the role of the parents-in-law. Some proposals to overcome these difficulties are presented. The author underlines, however, that the process may be difficult, especially in the Western culture characterized by egocentrism, the young generation’s lack of gratitude towards the ageing parents and low fertility rates of Europeans.

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