Lifespan Development: Interview and Essays

LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT
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Table of Contents
PART 1: THE LIFE COURSE INTERVIEW.................................................................................3
PART 2: LIFE STORY REVIEW ESSAYS...................................................................................7
References......................................................................................................................................10
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PART 1: THE LIFE COURSE INTERVIEW
Interviewer: Hello, I am doing this interview as a part of my course completion and also
because your life interests me a lot. I feel that I will get to know you better. I hope you have the
patients’ and interests to provide me the information I am looking for. It will take some time as I
will be noting down the discussion we have during the interview. It will allow me to understand
life course in a better way. To start with, I would like to know your age and your life activity as
chapters with some crucial incidents.
Interviewee: You have been a good neighbor since a long time period. I am not too comfortable
discussing my life events as chapters. I like to take life as it comes. You know LIFE....is kinna
.... challenging for me, at one time one turn at another time, another turn. Its too rough...what
can I say to you, you are very young. Knowing my life might make you have negative perception
of life itselt...I would not like that.
Interviewer: I feel your life is crucial and very important. We all have some good and some bad
chapters in life. Life at certain points teaches us extremely tough and challenging lessons. But
again we have some beautiful moments too. If it’s very difficult for you, let’s start with some of
the beautiful moments of your life. The life course events that you narrate to me, would allow me
to understand in practical ways, life advances in adulthood. It has been observed that critical
incidents affects us in life and leads to take some decisions or makes us the person we are. I have
learned this in the books but I want to apply my learning’s in a practical manner.
Interviewee: I am from El Paso and now I am 50 years old. Best moments of life...I must say...
(recalling)...when my son was born. He had head full of hair. I had a normal delivery and the big
boy, made my heart filled with joy. He was crying out so loud and was constantly moving his
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limbs...a sign of a healthy boy...I must say....Then after few days...(pauses)....it seems he
started walking. He used to throw all things outside the window, you know...hahaha!
Interviewer: Yes, I must say having children is the most beautiful part of life. It gives you
inspiration and energy to strive ahead. I would like to know more about any critical incident in
your life.
Interviewee: My mother passed away when I was only 18, my father is still alive. Death of my
mother was one of the most shocking and disheartening moment in my life. She suffered a
massive heart attack. I looked up to her, she was an extremely hard working lady, I tell you. She
raised three kids by herself, as my father used to be busy earning. It is difficult to bring up
children now-a-day. Worst part I feel is that...I always misbehaved with my mother...I was a
teenage girl that time. I don’t have good memories with my mother, but she always tries to guide
and protect me. I have two sisters and a brother. My sisters and brother visits me sometimes, I go
to them. But then that’s very rare! All the times I am living by myself...feeling lonely.
Interviewer: Anything you want to share about your family, husband...??? I mean if you want
you can go on talking about your mother.
Interviewee: My mother yes, I would like to talk about her...she was an extremely polite and
sweet lady. She cared for all three children, but I was the jealous kind. I always had the feeling
that she loved my brother more. It is not true, she done so much...I can’t believe I was so rude
with her. May she rest in peace in the heaven. I miss her badly. I wish she was alive.
Interviewer: Your mother played an important role in shaping your nature, can I say that. Who
else had an important part in your life.
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