Chapter 21 - Developmental Psychology’s Twenty-First-Century Identity Task: Creating Science beyond the Mask of the Myth

Summary

This chapter traces a few key themes and challenges that have animated and sustained my life and career. Central to this has always been a desire to ensure, assisted by contributions provided, that all children get a “fighting chance” at thriving across the multitude of possible ecological contexts navigated given normal human development processes and task requirements. The diversity and inclusive perspective taken challenges scholarly traditions of the field that equate “difference with deficit.” Theoretical underpinnings for confronted efforts acknowledge the universality of human vulnerability, stress experience, and, thus, coping with the complex interactions between individuals’ challenges and supports. In keeping with this perspective, I also emphasize the many sources of strength and support secured in my personal and professional life. In sum, considered over the course of time – now more than three quarters of a century – ideally experiences shared might serve as motivation to future generations of young scholars.