The Balancing Act of Adult LifeLife in the 21st century seems more complex than ever, as adults face the demands of multiple roles, the stress of a place of fluid work and the pressures of caring for children and the elderly. Individuals feel compelled to update their job-related knowledge and skills and keep up with the proliferation of information. Managing family resources is increasingly complex, with broader choices and decisions to be made regarding utilities, banking, investments, retirement planning, etc. The Internet has simultaneously made it easier to access information, but more complicated to apply critical judgment to what one finds. Many of us feel, as Kegan (1994) puts it, “out of whack” as we strive to “balance” our areas of life. It is easy to find a long list of causes for these growing demands (Daly 2000; Niles, Herr, and Hartung 2001): technological advances; the changing nature of work, workplaces and employment relationships; international economic competition; the demographic changes of workers, families and communities; and a longer lifespan, among others. Adults have always had roles and responsibilities as workers, family members, citizens, consumers and community members. However, role expectations have changed. For example, workers now have greater responsibility for decision making, teamwork and career development. Family responsibilities are complicated by single parenthood, blended families, older seniors and more women in the workforce. Citizens need to be informed not only about local and national issues, but also about global ones. As consumers of health care, individuals are encouraged to inform themselves about treatment options and participate in decisions about their care... middle of document... Framework, 1993-1997. Washington, DC: National Institute for Literacy, 2000. (ED 441 139) http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/collections/eff/merrifield_eff.pdfNiles, S.G.; Mister, EL; and Hartung, P.J. Achieving balance in life. Columbus: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education, Center on Education and Training for Employment, Ohio State University, 2001. http://ericacve.org/majorpubs.aspSecretan, L. “Integration, Not Balance.” Industry Week 249, n. 11 (June 12, 2000): 29.Stein, S. Equipped for future content standards. What adults need to know and be able to do in the 21st century. Washington, DC: National Institute for Literacy, 2000. (ED 437 557) Tinberg, H. B., and Weisberger, R. “In over Our Heads: Applying Kegan Developmental Theory to Community College Students.” Community College Review 26, no. 2 (Autumn 1998): 43-56.