Introduction
Research on human development and growth is vital for human civilization as it allows people to predict outcomes, find solutions to life-and-death problems on both personal and societal levels. A person continues to develop throughout their lives, and it is crucial to understand the processes that influence human development. By exploring physical, cognitive, and social changes, scientists discovered the continuity of life-span determinants that make a person (Sigelman & Rider, 2017). There are numerous factors that can have major importance on one’s future, and it is possible to trace their impact on one’s behavior and lifestyle.
A person continues to change throughout his or her life, along with the ever-progressing world and society. Along with aging, peoples’ values are priorities adjust to these changes. Understanding the intricate connection that every step of human life has on the future of that person allows people to gain more in-depth insight into human development. Moreover, this knowledge enables humans to control one’s aging process by making the right choices. This essay contains the analysis of critical developmental moments in my life, reviews how these events influenced me, and how this knowledge can be applied to benefit other people.
Childhood
Alas, there are not many memories left about my childhood years. While I was a child, I was put up on adoption, and I can remember living in three different foster homes until the age of 14. Researchers link this notion with low caregiving quality, which leads to an altered stress response system and the ability to attach or connect with others (Nelson et al., 2019). Restoring adequate caregiving reduces or completely negates any potential threats that could inhibit development (Nelson et al., 2019). However, Brodzinsky (2011) states that “Adopted children are overrepresented in mental health settings and display higher levels of both externalizing and internalizing symptoms, as well as learning problems” (p. 200). Post-institutionalized children present a particular challenge to their parents, which might be the reason behind multiple adoptions (Brodzinsky., 2011). I can not say that I feel particularly traumatized by that period, and I do not recall any deficits in cognitive abilities or effects on my mentality that are linked to it.
This part of my life is a blur in my memories. While I understand the importance of the implications that come with the fact that I was adopted, I can not describe adoption as an ultimately negative experience for me or in general. Brodzinsky (2011) states that “Adoption offers children the promise of nurturance, emotional stability, and lifetime family commitment” (p. 206). I am unable to point out any direct influences from my childhood that are related to family, my time in college changed my life forever. I have developed a profound interest in sports during that time and felt that I have been able to a higher social standing through it. Self-perception in adolescence begins to be more influenced by society than by family, and by displaying competence in football, I was able to improve my life (Sigelman & Rider, 2017). During this period, I got married, and later, around my junior year in college, I joined the U.S. Army.
Military Career
From my point of view, this period bears the utmost importance in my development and in forming my character and who I am today. Being brought face-to-face with strict rules and a great deal of stress, I found a source for personal growth. The Army has shown me a new dimension in human relationships and had a significant impact on my worldview. Pargament and Sweeney (2011) state that the Army fosters “the development of the values, attitudes, and beliefs that lead to a strong, resilient, and winning spirit in its members” (p. 59). While I had to suspend my civilian life and leave education and family, for the time being, I believe that this experience was crucial in building my durability and flexibility, both physical and mental.
For me, the Army is not just an occupation, but a symbol of stability and strength. There, I have found an example of what being a man was all about. Military service is one of the essential sources of meaningful life experience, as it puts one’s abilities to a strenuous test, which allows a person to mold it under pressure. Adverse life circumstances change one’s personality at a faster pace, and while there is a chance for mental breakdowns, soldiers describe these changes as strengthening (Chopik et al., 2020). The Army allowed me to open my potential and expand it tenfold. I became less uncertain of myself, more self-sustainable, and, at the same time, more open to others.
Moreover, during my career in the Army, I have come to a realization that in the Army’s core lie family relationships. Military culture creates an atmosphere that nurtures close relationships among soldiers and creates a strong bond based on a shared idea and position (Knobloch & Wehrman, 2014). The path I took at the beginning of this time brought me to my current career as a federal police officer. In the Army, I have been introduced to religion as an authoritative source of well-being, self-awareness, and unique bonds that last through a lifetime. I have been in military service for twenty years, and not only it provide me with a decent career, but it also opened my heart to embrace Jesus.
Religion
During my army years, I became a very religious person. Eventually, God led me to the position of a preacher, which I gladly took in 1999. Under the stress that the Army places upon a person, it is vital to have a strong spiritual foundation to remain mentally stable. Sigelman and Rider argue that religion “can contribute positively to a sense of meaning or purpose in life and social support and, in turn, to good physical and mental health and a sense of well-being” (p. 429). Pargament and Sweeney (2011) argue that religion allows soldiers to “maintain an optimistic view of the future, access their social support network, generate the motivation to persevere, grow from adversity, and mitigate serious psychological problems” (p. 59). Religion opens in humans a distinct potential through self-control and motivation, awareness of oneself and God, all of which enable people to live fulfilling lives.
Through God, I find additional strength that allows me to improve myself. I believe that through His will, I can bestow wisdom of life upon others, and show them the right way. Making meaning out of one’s life is a crucial step toward a purposeful existence. Religion aims to ensure that people have stable psychological health, prosocial attitudes, it promotes forgiveness and focuses on positive emotions (Day, 2017). I am firm in my faith, and I love helping people who lost their way to discover a new, better path in life.
By spreading the Word of God, I can share the wisdom and morals that helped me pull through many hardships. Faith plays a vital role in human development, and it allows individuals to find purpose in their lives, commit to their ideals, be less prone to conflicts, and uphold morals in society (Pargament & Sweetney, 2011). Nowadays, I continue my servitude as a pastor at the local church and will continue to serve as long as I can. Helping others through religion gives me a sense of fulfillment, strengthens my commitment to God, and alleviates my doubts.
Family
Being raised in multiple foster families, I understand the importance of a full family. Thankfully, in my life, I have found my love, and we are currently married. I am proud to say that I am also a father of four children: three girls and one boy. I continue to work and provide them with all the necessary means that would allow them to receive the best chances at life. I think that as the Army was my family for an extended period, its values and life adjustments carried onto my current family. Looking back, I can use my early life experience to affect the future of my children positively. My second Master’s Degree is a way to improve the lives of my family and others around me.
In order to enhance their development, I put my efforts into preparing them for adulthood and the evolution of our relationship. Changes in society are shifting toward a more individualistic lifestyle, and some traditional family values, such as obedience, are on the decline (Greenfield, 2016). However, I believe that my children received adequate parenting in order to understand the importance of family values. The hierarchical model that is promoted by religion gives a stable foundation for building strong morals, empathy, and cognition (Day, 2017). I hope to teach them the meaning of God as I see it, however, I understand that every person comes to faith through their path.
I perceive my family as one unit, with all our lives and experiences linked together, which makes us stronger. Adverse events and hardships that were encountered by a couple throughout their lives increase resilience, which transfers to an entire family, making it less prone to stress and more flexible to the strains of life (Lavee, 2015). I think that my past has a positive effect on my current lifestyle behavior related to familial values and activities. I hope to transfer this passion towards kin to my children so that our family continues to stay healthy.
Lifestyle Behaviors
The aging process is influenced not only by physical means but also by social, psychological, behavioral, and environmental. Nowadays, I begin to feel the increasing pressure of my age. However, I have discovered numerous ways through which I can decrease stress without harming my health. One of the primary supporting structures in my life is family, which I can rely on during my time of need. Lavee (2015) argues that “personal, psychological, and/or community resources have significant roles in preventing adverse outcomes and can help manage turmoil” (p. 159). My years in the Army affected the way I have built my family, which, in turn, continues to have a positive effect on my behavior.
While I do have periods of self-doubt or hardships in life, I do not see them as a negative experiences. From every mistake or adverse outcome, people can learn how to become better and avoid this result. When the times are tough, my faith allows me to push through, as prayers and preaching give me the strength to overcome all obstacles. My beliefs have a positive impact on my abilities for problem-solving, hopefulness, and motivation, both external and internal. Stress, anxiety, and other emotional grievances are connected with the aging process and a general decrease in health status (Sigelman & Rider, 2017). When I feel that I am under pressure, I turn to God to regain balance, calmness, and clarity of thoughts. I believe that my ability to manage stressful situations will positively affect my aging.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the mechanisms behind human development gives a person an opportunity to reflect on the past, realize what effects it has on the present and the future. Through this realization, people gain the possibility to change the future by knowing the roots of their issues. As people age, they become more observant of their choices and take better consideration before making them. Moreover, it allows humans to improve the lives of others through this knowledge by bettering the environment or setting the right conditions for desired changes. Greenfield (2016) argues that current trends in human development show “a loss of traditional values, social guidance, family obligation, and respect” (p. 89). I firmly believe that through human development studies, humanity will understand the implications of these trends and adjust accordingly in order to accommodate the best practices from the past into the future.
I usher people to put effort into finding their way in life through meaningful sources, such as education, military service, family, or religion. There are numerous studies that depict the positive impact of people’s lives that these instances have. Studying gave me a better insight into this world and provided me with knowledge on how to make it better for everyone. Military service, in turn, allowed me to strengthen my inner self and open myself to God. In my opinion, the Army can change a man for better, but there is not enough attention to the idea of military service as a school of life. Chopik et al. (2020) state that “very few prospective studies examine these psychological processes that are hypothesized to drive growth and resilience” (p. 13). I think it is vital for society to understand the importance of tenacity that is taught in the Army as a personality trait.
Nowadays, religion and spirituality also go overlooked and misunderstood by a major part of society. These two notions have the power to change human society to become more moral and empathetic. Studies show that people who accept God early in life have strong morals, show less antisocial behavior, and are less prone to mental disorders (Sigelman & Rider, 2017). My personal experiences taught me that there are significant outside factors that affect outcomes, but there is the right path that gives personal fulfillment in their life. I think that additional studies on the effect that religion and spirituality have on human development are crucial to understanding what benefits humanity can gain from shared faith.
References
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Day, J. M. (2017). Religion and human development in adulthood: Well-being, prosocial behavior, and religious and spiritual development. Behavioral Development Bulletin, 22(2), 298-313. Web.
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Sigelman, C. K., & Rider, E. A. (2017). Life-span human development (9th ed.). Wadsworth Publishing.