[Aging, family relations and life course]

Integration of sociological research findings into the study of late life individual development is attempted. The human lifecourse is presenting itself as de-standardized and individualized. Phases of renewed learning and selfmanaged changes become requirements for fulfilment in late life. The labor market and technological change contribute to the fragmentation of the life course. More attention has to be payed to train for a learning of re-learning, and for the capacities of the self to respond creatively to changes in the biography. One important element in increased endeavour in this context is the attempt to face intergenerational differences and to learn to grow with conflict even in old age.