15 
2.2.3 
Problem Texts 
2.2.3.1 Topic: Work-Family 
Target Age: Older Adult (Nonnormative) 
Joyce, a 60-year-old widow, recently completed a degree in business management and opened 
her own business. She has been looking forward to this new challenge. She has just heard that 
her son has been left with two small children to care for. 
Joyce is considering the following options: She can plan to give up her business and live with 
her son, or she can plan to arrange for financial assistance for her son to cover child-care costs. 
What should Joyce do and consider in making her plans? What additional information is 
needed? 
Target Age: Young Adult (Nonnormative) 
Michael, a 28-year-old mechanic with two preschool-aged children, has just learned that the 
factory in which he is working will close in three months. At present, there is no possibility for 
further employment in this area. His wife recently returned to her well-paying nursing career. 
Michael is considering the following options: He can plan to move to another city to seek 
employment, or he can plan to take on full responsibility for the child-care and household tasks. 
What should Michael do and consider in making his plans? What additional information is 
needed? 
Target Age: Older Adult (Normative) 
Up to now, Jack, 63 years old and married, has approached cumpulsory retirement at 65 with 
some anxiety. Recently, his company was taken over. The new management has decided to 
close the outer suburban branch where Jack is employed. 
Jack is considering the following options: He can plan to take early retirement with full pay for 
two years, as compensation, or he can plan to move to work in the company head office for two 
to three more years. 
What should Jack do and consider in making his plans? What additional information is 
needed? 
Target Age : Young Adult (Normative) 
Elizabeth, 33 years old and a successful professional for eight years, was recently offered a 
major promotion. Her new responsibilities would require an increased time commitment. She 
and her husband would also like to have children before it is too late. 
Elizabeth is considering the following options: She can plan to accept the promotion, or she can 
plan to start a family. 
What should Elizabeth do and consider in making her plans? What additional information is 
needed? 
2.2.3.2 Topic: Sickness 
Women 
Mary was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors told her that she has but one year to live. Mary 
is now thinking about what she should do. Among other options, she can try, as much as 
possible, to continue living the way she has been, or she can make a drastic change in her life. 
What should Mary do and consider in making her plans? What additional information is 
needed?