Criteria Used to Define Successful Coping in Adulthood

Work

Relationship with children

Relationship with spouse/mate

Relationship with parents and siblings

Relationship with peers

Self-assessment

YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!

Work: Satisfied with Achievement

Werner & Smith (2001)• The individual is

employed and/or enrolled in school; is (very) satisfied with work and/or school achievement

Triumphs of Obama• Educational journey begun age 6

in Indonesian Catholic school then transitioned to public schooling age 8

• Accepted into prestigious, preparatory school shortly thereafter until age 18

• Undergraduate at Occidental University and Columbia

• After college began corporate career in New York receiving promotions, then shifted to community organizing/non-profit

• Received Law Degree, ran for U.S. Senate followed by winning election as 44th President of the U.S

Satisfying Relationship with Spouse

Werner & Smith (2001)• The individual is

married or in a long-term committed relationship; is (very) satisfied with partner and reports little or no conflict; no records of desertion, divorce, or spouse abuse in court files.

Success of Marriage• Barack H. Obama and

Michelle L. Robinson wed in October of 1992 after Obama’s persistent courtship

• Obama’s pursuit toward a positive relationship with Michelle has required a large commitment and has survived rigorous career demands that resulted from past occupancy of U.S. Senate seat and now his current role of presidency• February 2011 Associated Press reported Michelle credits 19 yrs of long marital success to Obama’s “romantic nature, fun personality, attention to detail, and memory of important dates”

Positive Relationship with Children

Werner & Smith (2001)• The individual

evaluates children (very) positively; is (very) satisfied with parental role; no record of child abuse or delinquent child support payments in court files

Parental Role• Barack has two young

children; Malia 12yrs and Sasha 9yrs and believes his life changed for the better at their birth.

• Regarded as a devoted family man, in a letter written to his daughters Obama admits realization that his own life “would not count for much unless I was able to ensure that you [two] had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours.”

• Record of abuse, neglect, or malnourishment is non existent as Obama has a supportive, positive and active role in the lives of his children

Relationship with Parents and Siblings

Werner & Smith (2001)

• The individual evaluates father mother, and siblings positively; reports little or no conflict with them

Familial Bonds• Obama’s self discovery would not have been possible

without the influential roles of his parents and siblings•Mother – Stanley Ann•Father – Barack Obama Sr.•Stepfather – Lolo•Grandmother/Grandfather – Toot/Gramps•Sister – Auma, •Brothers – Roy, Bernard, David, George, Mark

Key Definitive Relationships • Obama’s deep connection with his mother extended from childhood

through adult age maintaining it’s importance. Her lessons and judgments will always be constant as her memory exist in Obama’s heart for a lifetime . Although Obama struggled with the absence of his father for the majority of his childhood to adolescence, it is in his adulthood he comes to peace with his father’s memory and realizes that “you can’t spend your whole life fighting ghosts”.

• Toot and Gramps were supplemental in Obama’s upbringing and as illustrated in Dreams of my Father, he maintained a very close bond with the two.

• As Obama transitioned into adulthood Auma and he began communication after the death of their father. Auma is perceived to be the catalyst in Obama’s self discovery which peaked in Kenya.

Relationship with Peers

Werner & Smith (2001)• The individual has

several close friends who provide emotional support when needed; is (very) satisfied with the relationship; no record of assault, battery, rape, or other criminal offenses in court files

Friendship• Obama received beneficial support

resulting from meaningful relationships developed with friends as part of his time spent in college and in Chicago in addition to throughout his political career.

• In present day, several of Obama’s top advisors and cabinet members are longtime friends and close associates who offer professional expertise but also can function to aid Obama in times of personal need

• Obama recounts a delightful game of golf he had over Christmas 2009 that included longtime pals from Hawaii – Greg Orme, Bobby Titcombe and Mike Ramos.

Self Assessment: Satisfied with Present State of Life

Werner & Smith (2001)• The individual is (very) happy

or mostly satisfied with present state of life; reports no dependency on alcohol or drugs; no psychosomatic illnesses; no record of psychiatric disorders in Mental Health Registry

Personal Measurements• In reflection of Obama’s merit, an array of factors

are present all which can constitute for an overall satisfaction with present-state of life

• Prophecy of Obama’s ability to break racial barriers was demonstrated when he became the first African-American President of the Harvard Law Review

• Pre-presidency, Obama’s grassroots efforts marked unprecedented response among the nation and is regarded in history as the most far-reaching campaign structure ever devised• Post-presidency, Obama has overcome monumental obstacles

in regard to the U.S. budget and reinvigorated bi-partisan politics to pass on March 23, 2010 the single most important legislation (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) since the passage of the Social Security Act of 1935.

• Obama’s mental and physical state of health are observed to be in good quality

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feel free to reflect upon previous slides for more detailed information.

The highlighted words serve as a connection to Internet information/reports and other data to heighten your

understanding of Obama’s risk and resilience in regard to Werner and Smith’s adaptation and coping for successful adulthood.

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