The Framework of Life Course (Kuan, 2005)

ACQUISITION -­­-­­-­­-­­-­­-­­-­­-­­--­ STRUGGLE -­­-­­-­­-­­-­­-­­-­­-­­-­­-­­--­ LEGACY

3 Components of Life Course

ACQUISITION

o Sum of all experiences an individual has amassed throughout his existence, both positive and
negative
o A continuous process all through one’s life
o Starts from conception when one acquires traits and characteristics from his mother and
father
o Continues to acquisition of skills as one achieves developmental milestones, progressing with
educational and career attainment
o Goes on until goal orientation in life is realized leading to further acquisition
o Quality of acquisition affects one’s capability to face challenges and struggles in life; thus,
good acquisition early in life is crucial.
o Initially, acquisition is handed over by parents. As one ages, the individual performs the
actual acquisition. His environment and his relationship with others shape how he acquires
in life.

STRUGGLE

o Obstacles normally occur as one goes through life. This is a test to one’s acquisition early on.
o Everyday, man goes through different forms of struggle. His capability to cope is
strengthened by the quality of acquisition.
o Negative acquisition leads to heavier struggles, regrets, and dissatisfaction. On the other
hand, positive attributes lighten the burden, resulting in successful problem solving and
bright achievements.
o Established positive adaptive mechanisms in times of struggles contribute to happy and
graceful aging. Elderly who are cheerful and contented reflects good acquisition. The
opposite can be observed for those with negative acquisition.

LEGACY

o Legacy is the stage when a person has achieved self-­­actualization, radiating the goodness he
has accumulated over time.
o Legacy is when one has been an inspiration for others and has made a contribution to
society.
o Graceful aging permeates fulfillment, which is a form of legacy.

CONCLUSION

o An individual is a product of what he has acquired during the course of his lifetime.
o Parents and significant others play a major role in a child’s positive early acquisition.

Source:

Natividad, J., Kuan, L., Bonito, S., Balabagno, A., Manahan, L., & Anonuevo, C. (2005). Caring for the
older person. Quezon City: UP Open University.